# NTSB ANC25LA109: Piper PA-12, N3816M, Kotlik, AK, September 16, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 16, 2025, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Kotlik, AK - Coordinates: 62.6324, -162.5109 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.6324&lon=-162.5109&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 201068 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201068/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201068 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA109 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a go-around in variable wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) - [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: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while landing on a remote ridgetop in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the wind unexpectedly shifted. The pilot initiated a go-around; however, he lost control of the airplane. The airplane impacted terrain and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, lift struts, and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3816M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3816M), registered now, S/N 12-2737, built 1947 (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 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-2737 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 4842 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 2025, 52 hours before - Departed: KSM, St. Mary's, AK - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: NONE, Ridge - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial, military, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 31, 2025; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,700 total, 242 in this make and model, 2,132 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 39 °F - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: PFKO - METAR: PFKO 162156Z AUTO 03013KT 10SM OVC070 09/04 RMK AO2 SLPNO T00890044 $ ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201068. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19432421&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA109%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 153 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19432926&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA109%20Photos-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.