# NTSB ANC11CA113: Piper PA-12, N2945M, Talkeetna, AK, September 26, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 25, 2011, 18:00 local (Sep 26, 2011, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 62.333332, -151.666671 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.3333&lon=-151.6667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA Anchorage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82031 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82031/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82031 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA113 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to take off from an off-airport site in variable wind. ## 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) - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); 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) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: 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) - [Takeoff-rejected 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 reported that, during the takeoff roll from an off-airport site, the wind shifted to a tailwind. He attempted to abort the takeoff but was unable to before the airplane reached the end of the runway. The airplane contacted the ground and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing strut. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll from an off-airport site, the wind shifted to a tailwind. He attempted to stop the takeoff but was unable to stop the airplane before reaching the end of the runway. The airplane contacted terrain and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing strut. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2945M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2945M), registered now, S/N 12-1344, built 1946 (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: 12-1344 - Airframe hours: 4751 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 2011, 120 hours before - Departed: Talkeetna, AK - Destination: Wasilla, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 5, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 616 total, 616 in this make and model, 606 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles ## 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 20110925023199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110925023199A), Sep 25, 2011: Piper PA-12, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. On September 25, 2011, [privacy data omitted], acting as pilot in command of N2945M, a PA-12, failed to accurately judge aircraft performance on takeoff from… ## Other investigations on N2945M (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 ANC26LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA100), Sep 10, 2026: Piper PA12 (N2945M), Arctic Village, AK, substantial damage, investigation ongoing - [NTSB ANC06CA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA065), May 29, 2006: Piper PA-12 (N2945M), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for a tailwind during the landing flare, which resulted in an in-flight collision with snow-covered terrain during an aborted landing. Factors contributing to the… - [NTSB ANC68F0067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC68F0067), Nov 6, 1967: Piper PA-12 (N2945M), Port Heiden, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 1, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82031. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359088&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.