# NTSB ANC88LA133: Piper PA-12, N3148M, Fairbanks, AK, September 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1988, 18:00 local (Sep 12, 1988, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809394, -147.719863 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8094&lon=-147.7199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5074
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5074/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA133

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A GRAVEL BAR WHEN THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A SOFT SPOT AND NOSED OVER. HE SAID THAT A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THAT HE HAD APPLIED HIS BRAKES TOO STRONGLY EARLY IN THE LANDING ROLL, AND HAD LOCKED THE BRAKES PRIOR TO ENCOUNTERING THE SOFT SPOT, ACCENTUATING THE TENDENCY FOR THE AIRPLANE TO NOSE OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3148M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3148M), registered now, S/N 12-1835, 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: 121835
- Airframe hours: 1922
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Echelmeyer, Keith A.
- Registered owner: Echelmeyer, Keith A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 8, 1988, 90 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 924 total, 160 in this make and model, 830 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 50 °F

## 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 19880911038039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880911038039A), Sep 11, 1988: Piper PA12, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Used too much braking landing on a wet grass river sandbar. Wheels hit soft spot. Aircraft nosed over.

## 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 ANC14CA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA088), Sep 24, 2014: Piper PA 12 (N3148M), Holy Cross, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff/landing and failure to maintain control of the aircraft.
- [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.

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.

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