# NTSB ANC11CA094: Piper PA-12, N78463, North Pole, AK, September 5, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 4, 2011, 16:30 local (Sep 5, 2011, 00:30 UTC) - Place: North Pole, AK - Coordinates: 64.770553, -147.333618 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7706&lon=-147.3336&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO-01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 81694 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81694/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81694 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA094 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and collision with the water. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the float-equipped airplane aborted 2 takeoffs to the north from a float pond after failing to become airborne at his no-go decision point. He reported that the wind was variable and that he then initiated a third takeoff to the south. The airplane lifted off prior to reaching the no-go point, but the pilot thought that he was not going to clear the trees at the shoreline. He said the wind may have changed direction or calmed, and the airplane was near stall airspeed. He said he had no option but to increase the pitch attitude, causing the airplane to stall and impact the pond. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the float-equipped airplane aborted 2 takeoffs to the north from a float pond, after failing to become airborne at his no-go decision point. He said the wind was variable, and he initiated a third takeoff to the south. The airplane lifted off prior to reaching the no-go point, but he felt he was not going to clear the trees at the shoreline. He said the wind may have changed direction or quit, and the airplane was near stall airspeed. He said he had no option but to increase the pitch attitude, at which time the airplane stalled, and impacted the pond. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N78463](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78463), registered now, S/N 12-1974, 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: 12-1974 - Airframe hours: 4084 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rodriguez Gamaliel I - Registered owner: Rodriguez Gamaliel I - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 2011 - Departed: 5AK3, North Pole, AK - Destination: 5AK3, North Pole, AK - Airport: 5AK3, Airway, runway 15, water ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 29, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 353 total, 280 in this make and model, 276 as pilot in command, 154 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 64 °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 20110904024739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110904024739A), Sep 4, 2011: Piper PA-12, North Pole, AK, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Was PIC of the PA-12 floatplane that attempted a nw take-off from a 2400 ft. pond located adjacent to Airway Airport (5AK3) in North… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 3, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81694. 150 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354870&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.