# NTSB ANC10CA102: Piper PA-12, N2534M, Windy Forks Strip, AK, September 13, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 13, 2010, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Windy Forks Strip, AK
- Coordinates: 61.233333, -153.649993 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2333&lon=-153.6500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 77604
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC10CA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77604/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77604
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA102

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taxiing on a rough/uneven airstrip.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported he was taxiing on an unimproved airstrip during a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight when the accident occurred. He stated the airplane's tailwheel became stuck in a rut, and when he added power to free it, the empennage spun around and impacted a solid object. During the impact the empennage sustained substantial damage. The pilot verified that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported he was taxiing on an unimproved airstrip during a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight when the accident occurred. He stated the airplane's tailwheel became stuck in a rut, and when he added power to free it, the empennage spun around and impacted a solid object. During the impact the empennage sustained substantial damage. The pilot verified that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2534M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2534M), registered now, S/N 12-926, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-926
- Airframe hours: 3082
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 2008
- Departed: None, Windy Forks Strip, AK
- Destination: None, Windy Forks Strip, AK
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: None, Windy Forks Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 3, 2009; seat: front; flight hours: 613 total, 613 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20100913054509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100913054509A), Sep 13, 2010: Piper PA-12, Mcgrath, AK, Substantial damage. Initial report was that the tail wheel broke off when pilot added power in an attempt to get main wheels out of a rut. One wheel popped out causing the tail to…

## Other investigations on N2534M (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB GAA19CA497](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA497), Aug 15, 2019: Piper PA 12 (N2534M), McCarthy, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's overapplication of brakes during landing, which resulted in a nose-over.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 24, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77604. 458 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 458 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339508&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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