# NTSB ANC11CA097: Piper PA-12, N3654M, Anchorage, AK, September 5, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 4, 2011, 21:45 local (Sep 5, 2011, 05:45 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.213611, -149.844451 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2136&lon=-149.8445&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 27, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration – Operations - NTSB case key (mKey): 81703 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81703/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81703 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA097 ## Probable cause The pilot's misidentification of the runway environment in dusk light conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Light condition: low light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to land on an unlighted, gravel runway, at dusk, when he inadvertently touched down in a grass-covered drainage ditch, which was right of the gravel runway. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with a drainage culvert, sustaining substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot noted in his written statement to the NTSB that he was unable to discern the difference between the gravel runway and grass-covered terrain due to the low-light conditions, and he mistakenly selected the grass-covered ditch. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot was landing at an unlighted, gravel runway, at dusk, when he inadvertently touched down in a grass-covered drainage ditch, which was right of the gravel runway. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with a drainage culvert, sustaining substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot noted in his written statement to the NTSB that he was unable to discern the difference between the gravel runway and grass-covered terrain due to the low-light conditions, and he mistakenly selected the grass-covered ditch. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3654M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3654M), registered now, S/N 12-2526, 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: 12-2526 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Finn Lunoe - Registered owner: Jason A Schmidt - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Anchorage, AK - Destination: PAMR, Anchorage, AK - Airport: PAMR, Merrill Field Airport, runway 05, 2,000 × 60 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 15, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °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 20110905018999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110905018999A), Sep 5, 2011: Piper PA-12, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was cleared to land on runway 5, Merrill airfield. He was familiar with the runway and the airport environment. There was no excessive winds or… ## Other investigations on N3654M (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 GAA17CA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA188), Mar 14, 2017: Piper PA 12 (N3654M), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the taxi on skis on hard-packed snow in gusting wind conditions. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 10, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81703. 601 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 601 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357733&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.