# NTSB ANC11CA001: Piper PA-12, N4166M, Chena Hot Springs, AK, October 2, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 1, 2010, 17:30 local (Oct 2, 2010, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Chena Hot Springs, AK - Coordinates: 65.051666, -146.034729 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.0517&lon=-146.0347&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77477 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA001 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77477/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77477 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA001 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control and collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: 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) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane on a gravel-covered runway in a left crosswind. He stated that during touchdown he used insufficient rudder and the airplane veered to the left. He added power to correct the situation and abort the landing, but the airplane's right wing contacted trees and it pivoted to the right. The airplane continued to track right, exited the gravel runway, and came to rest at the base of an embankment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing assembly and empennage. The pilot noted that there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The private pilot reported he was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane on a gravel-covered runway in a left crosswind. He said that he used insufficient rudder on touchdown, and that shortly thereafter the airplane "curved" to the left. He stated he added power to correct the situation and abort the landing, but the airplane's right wing contacted trees and brush "well below flying speed" and pivoted to the right. The airplane continued to track right, exited the gravel runway, and came to rest at the base of an embankment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing assembly and empennage. The pilot noted that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane during the time frame of the accident. The airplane was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, when the accident occurred. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4166M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4166M), registered now, S/N 12-3065, built 1947 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-3065 - Airframe hours: 3083 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Woolace James L - Registered owner: Woolace James L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 2010, 54 hours before - Departed: North Pole, AK - Destination: AK13, Chena Hot Springs, AK - Airport: AK13, Chena Hot Springs, runway 08, 3,000 × 60 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 4, 2004; seat: front; flight hours: 5,500 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 5 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 45 °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 20101001049469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101001049469A), Oct 1, 2010: Piper PA-12, North Pole, AK, Substantial damage. 10/02/2010 - James woolace landed his Piper PA-12 at Chena hotsprings air strip. Upon touch down the winds were changing directions and the wind sock was… ## Other investigations on N4166M (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 LAX73DUG16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73DUG16), Sep 6, 1972: Piper PA-12 (N4166M), Idyllwild, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77477. 763 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 763 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338737&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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.