# NTSB ANC11CA106: Piper PA-12, N78564, Beluga, AK, September 23, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 23, 2011, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Beluga, AK - Coordinates: 55.919685, -159.490005 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9197&lon=-159.4900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 27, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO-03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 81882 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81882/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81882 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA106 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to take off uphill into rising terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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) - [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: 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 The pilot elected to take off uphill from a remote site due to a light wind coming down the slope. He said that during the takeoff roll, the airplane hit a bump and became airborne prematurely. The airplane was unable to outclimb the rising terrain and vegetation. After the main landing gear encountered high vegetation, the airplane slowed, impacted terrain, and nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings. There were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot elected to takeoff from the remote site uphill, due to a light wind coming down the slope. During the takeoff roll, he said the airplane hit a bump, and became airborne prematurely. The airplane was unable to out climb the rising terrain and vegetation. The main landing gear encountered high vegetation, the airplane slowed, impacted terrain, and nosed over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N78564](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78564), registered now, S/N 12-3939, 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: 12-3939 - Airframe hours: 3797 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Knutson Tad T - Registered owner: Knutson Tad T - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 2010 - Departed: Beluga, AK - Destination: Beluga, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 30, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 632 total, 553 in this make and model, 328 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 5 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - 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 20110923022739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110923022739A), Sep 23, 2011: Piper PA-12, Tyonek, AK, Substantial damage. On 9/23/2011 at 2230 hours [privacy data omitted] a certificated private pilot certificate number [privacy data omitted] was taking off in his Piper PA-12… ## Other investigations on N78564 (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 ANC86LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA048), Apr 24, 1986: Piper PA-12 (N78564), Soldotna, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81882. 639 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 639 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357547&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.