# NTSB ANC21LA039: Piper PA-12, N92793, Kenai, AK, May 12, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 12, 2021, 13:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Kenai, AK · Kenai Municipal Airport - Coordinates: 60.568912, -151.24439 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5689&lon=-151.2444&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 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): 103092 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103092/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA039 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive application of the airplane’s wheel brakes while landing, which resulted in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); 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 According to the pilot, the airplane bounced during the initial touchdown and then it veered slightly to the right of the gravel-covered runway. To correct for the veer, the pilot applied left rudder and braking, but the airplane subsequently nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In addition, the pilot noted that he inadvertently applied aggressive braking action, which resulted in the nose over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N92793](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N92793), registered now, S/N 12-239, 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: 12-239 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 6264 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Heazlett James Richard - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 4, 2021, 3 hours before - Departed: AK73, Nikiski, AK - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: ENA, Kenai Municipal Airport, runway 20L, 1,980 × 75 ft, gravel - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 658 total, 50 in this make and model, 610 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.16 inHg - Observed at: ENA ## 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 20210512008379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210512008379A), May 12, 2021: Piper PA-12, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. On Wednesday 12 may 2021, 1302 local, PA-12 aircraft N92793 flying in from nikiski, AK, landed at Kenai Municipal Airport, on gravel runway 20L, nosed over and… ## Other investigations on N92793 (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 ANC97LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA053), Apr 18, 1997: Piper PA-12 (N92793), Nikiski, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper installation of the landing gear wheel. 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.