# NTSB ANC12LA113: Aviat A-1, N36LE, Fairbanks, AK, September 28, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 28, 2012, 10:16 local (18:16 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.808334, -147.91777 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8083&lon=-147.9178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 27, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 85165 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12LA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85165/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85165 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12LA113 ## Probable cause The pilot’s excessive application of brakes during landing, which resulted in a noseover. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2210302), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: landing gear brakes system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unnecessary use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md?model=2210302), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat A-1, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2210302), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Aviat A-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2210302), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had completed several touch-and-go landings and was returning for a final, full stop landing. The touchdown was normal, but during the landing roll, the tail began to rise. The pilot applied full back pressure on the control stick in an attempt to lower the tail, but the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder, lift struts, and wings. The pilot stated there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A witness who responded to the accident site reported that both main wheels turned freely and observed skid marks on the gravel surfaced runway. A postaccident examination revealed brake shoe material had adhered to both brake discs. Thus, given the lack of mechanical anomalies with the airplane, it is likely that the pilot applied excessive braking during the landing roll. ## Factual narrative On September 28, 2012, about 1016 Alaska daylight time, an Aviat Inc. Husky A-1 airplane, N36LE, sustained substantial damage while landing at Chena Marina Airport, Fairbanks, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. During an on-scene interview with the National Transportation Safety Board(NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on September 28, the pilot stated that the accident flight originated at Chena Marina Airport, for a local flight to practice touch-and-go landings. He had completed several touch-and-go landings, and was returning for a full stop. The touchdown was normal, but during the landing roll the tail began to rise, he applied full back pressure on the control stick in an attempt to lower the tail, but the airplane nosed-over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder, lift struts, and wings. The pilot stated there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. During a conversation with the NTSB IIC, an aircraft mechanic who responded to the accident site, said he found both main wheels turned freely. He also observed skid marks from the main wheels on the gravel surfaced runway. A postaccident examination revealed material from the brake shoes had adhered to both main brake discs. The closest weather reporting facility is Fairbanks International Airport, approximately 2 mile east of the accident site. At 0953, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) at Fairbanks, Alaska, reported: wind clam; visibility, 10 statute miles; scattered clouds at 5000 feet; broken clouds at 8500 feet; temperature, 37 degrees F; dew point 34 degrees F; altimeter, 29.22 inHG. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36LE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N36LE), registered now, S/N 1198 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT A-1 - Registry model: [Aviat A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1) (registry code 2210302) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1198 - Airframe hours: 1222 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 Series 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 13, 2012 - Departed: AK28, Fairbanks, AK - Destination: AK28, Fairbanks, AK - Airport: AK28, Chena Marina Airport, runway 36, 4,000 × 60 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 515 total, 1 in this make and model, 429 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.20 inHg - Observed at: PAFA, 2 nm away ## 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 20120928023309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120928023309A), Sep 28, 2012: Aviat Inc A-1, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. N36LE was just released from an annual inspection. Pilot was relocating the aircraft from Fairbanks international to Chena Marina. Pilot stated the mechanic… ## Other investigations on N36LE (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 ANC03LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA046), Apr 20, 2003: Aviat A1 (N36LE), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's excessive application of the brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 19, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85165. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383660&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383909&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.