# NTSB ANC25LA051: Piper PA-12, N3846M, Fairbanks, AK, June 14, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 13, 2025, 16:15 local (Jun 14, 2025, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.873336, -147.01568 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8733&lon=-147.0157&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 200321 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA051 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200321/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200321 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA051 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during a go-around with a tailwind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/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) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: 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 While attempting to land on a short turf-covered airstrip, the pilot reported attempting a go-around. He applied full throttle and began a climbing left turn, but the airplane was unable to gain enough altitude to clear the trees off the departure end of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the trees and came to rest nose down, resulting in substantial damage to the wings, lift struts, and fuselage. The pilot reported that, during the final approach, the winds were variable between a left crosswind and a tailwind. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3846M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3846M), registered now, S/N 12-2757 (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 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-2757 - Airframe hours: 4249.3 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 2025, 24.19 hours before - Departed: 95Z, North Pole, AK - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: NONE, Private Strip, runway 14/32, 550 × 60 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 126 total, 126 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: PAFB, 15 nm away - METAR: PAFB 131155Z 12003KT 10SM SCT140 SCT200 12/03 A2997 RMK AO2A SLP154 T01180025 10240 20110 53004 $ ## 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 20250613006209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250613006209A), Jun 13, 2025: Piper PA-12, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot atempted landing on a 550 ft grass strip. Air temperature was 85 degree f and noted a light tailwind. Executed a go around. On second landing attempt, he… ## Other investigations on N3846M (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 DEN00LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA111), Jun 14, 2000: Piper PA-12 (N3846M), Dutch John, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to compensate for wind conditions and control the aircraft while landing in gusting wind conditions. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 11, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200321. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18968088&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA051%20Fairbanks%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18900052&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-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.