# NTSB ANC11CA025: Piper PA-12, N3613M, Delta Junction, AK, April 10, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 10, 2011, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Delta Junction, AK - Coordinates: 64.034721, -145.502227 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.0347&lon=-145.5022&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 12, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO-01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 78829 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78829/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78829 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA025 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudged altitude while landing in bright sunlight on an airstrip surrounded by snow, resulting in an undershoot and a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000/cases.md) - [Light condition: bright light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was practicing takeoffs and landings on a grass airstrip. He said snow had been removed from the center of the grass airstrip, but not the surrounding area. During his approach to land, bright sunlight reflected off the snow that made him lose his depth perception. The airplane touched down short of the runway, nosing over in deep snow. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane. The airplane received substantial damage to both wings. ## Factual narrative The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings on a grass airstrip. He said snow had been removed from the center of the grass airstrip, but not the surrounding area. During his approach to land, he said bright sunlight reflected off the snow made him lose his depth perception, and the airplane touched down short of the runway, nosing over in deep snow. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane. The airplane received substantial damage to both wings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3613M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3613M), registered now, S/N 12-2459, 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 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-2459 - Airframe hours: 5396 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hall Gary L - Registered owner: Hall Gary L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 14, 2010 - Departed: AK09, Delta Junction, AK - Destination: AK09, Delta Junction, AK - Airport: AK09, Windsong, runway 15, 2,400 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 26, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 3,388 total, 2,146 in this make and model, 3,328 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg ## 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 20110410007439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110410007439A), Apr 10, 2011: Piper PA-12, Delta Junction, AK, Substantial damage. N3613M contacted the soft snow about 100 feet short of the end of the plowed runway. The soft snow sucked the aircraft into the snow, causing the aircraft to… ## Other investigations on N3613M (3) 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 ANC07CA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07CA034), Apr 29, 2007: Piper PA-12 (N3613M), Delta Junction, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The damaged and deflated over-sized tire on the main landing gear, which precipitated a loss of directional control during landing. - [NTSB ANC75DAG71](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC75DAG71), Mar 6, 1975: Piper PA-12 (N3613M), Iliamna, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC68D0044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC68D0044), Jun 17, 1967: Piper PA-12 (N3613M), Skwentna, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 28, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78829. 149 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347041&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.