# NTSB ANC20CA058: Piper PA 12, N3824M, Palmer, AK, June 6, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 6, 2020, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.9393, -149.2877 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9393&lon=-149.2877&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 101414 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC20CA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101414/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101414 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA058 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper decision to load the airplane beyond its allowable gross weight limits, which resulted in an impact with a tree and collision with terrain. ## 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: [Piper PA-12, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Loading](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: 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) ## Analysis The pilot was departing in his float-equipped three-seat airplane with four souls onboard. After departure and during the initial climb the airplane’s right wing impacted a tree, the airplane rotated 180° and impacted terrain sustaining substantial damage to the wings, lift struts, fuselage and left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. In a conversation with the NTSB IIC shortly after the accident, the pilot provided weights that equated to a gross weight at the time of the accident of about 2011 pounds or 173 pounds over its approved maximum takeoff gross weight limit. In the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1 the pilot reported that the gross weight at the time of the accident was 1845 pounds or 7 pounds over its maximum takeoff gross weight limit. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had taken a lighter load or less fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3824M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3824M), registered now, S/N 12-2744, 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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-2744 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 4800 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2020 - Airport: 4AK6, Wolf Lake - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea; last flight review June 14, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,000 total, 3,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 2975.00 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ, 6 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 20200606007879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200606007879A), Jun 6, 2020: Piper PA-12, Wolf Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot in command (PIC) attempted takeoff to the northwest on Wolf Lake water with four souls onboard (PIC and three passengers). The aircraft is type… ## Other investigations on N3824M (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 ANC99LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA131), Aug 31, 1999: Piper PA-12 (N3824M), Skwentna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors in the accident were a crosswind, and wind gusts. - [NTSB ANC76DAG29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAG29), Aug 27, 1975: Piper PA-12 (N3824M), Kenai, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 3, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101414. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11420748&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=DMS%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation - pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12542516&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Mr%20Draveling-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records - weight and balance (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11421752&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N3824M%20W%20%26%20B%20Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 480 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9821124&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.