# NTSB ANC14CA088: Piper PA 12, N3148M, Holy Cross, AK, September 24, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 24, 2014, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Holy Cross, AK - Coordinates: 62.201389, -161.572219 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.2014&lon=-161.5722&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO-3 - NTSB case key (mKey): 90187 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC14CA088 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90187/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90187 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA088 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff/landing and failure to maintain control of the aircraft. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) - [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: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing on a remote off-airport site in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. He stated that the landing area was on a 15-degree slope. The landing was uneventful, but shortly after stopping the airplane, a gust of wind turned the airplane so the nose was pointing down the hill. The airplane began rolling down the slope, and then nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was landing on a remote off-airport site in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. He stated that the landing area was on a 15-degree slope. The landing was uneventful, but shortly after stopping the airplane, a gust of wind turned the airplane so the nose was pointing down the hill. The airplane began rolling down the slope, and then nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3148M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3148M), registered now, S/N 12-1835, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 12 (NO SERIES) - 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: 12-1835 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 7023.8 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C4P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Matthew Thoft - Registered owner: Matthew Thoft - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 13, 2014 - Departed: HCA, HOLY CROSS, AK - Destination: Holy Cross, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review February 11, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,500 total, 220 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: PARS, 27 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 20140924017339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140924017339A), Sep 24, 2014: Piper PA-12, Holy Cross, AK, Substantial damage. On September 24, 2014, the airman operating a Piper PA-12 for silvertip aviation, LLC., landed on a remote airstrip 50-54 miles west of Holy Cross, AK to pick… ## Other investigations on N3148M (2) 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 ANC89LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA086), Jun 4, 1989: Piper PA-12 (N3148M), Anaktuvuk Pass, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT FAILED TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR DOWNDRAFTS ENCOUNTERED AFTER DEPARTING A GRAVEL BAR THAT WAS SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. - [NTSB ANC88LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA133), Sep 12, 1988: Piper PA-12 (N3148M), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 24, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90187. 766 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 766 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419395&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.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.