# NTSB ANC90LA036: Piper PA-12, N7853H, Nome, AK, March 5, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1990, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Nome, AK
- Coordinates: 64.709373, -164.619049 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7094&lon=-164.6190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5340
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5340/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA036

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE LEFT GEAR AXLE DUE TO CORROSION AND FATIGUE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff
  - landing gear,ski assembly - corroded (cause)
  - landing gear,axle - fatigue (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - directional control - not possible
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN, THE LEFT MAIN SKI AXLE FAILED & THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED TO THE LEFT & WAS DAMAGED.  AN EXAM REVEALED THE AXLE HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE IN AN AREA OF CORROSION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7853H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7853H), registered now, S/N 12-754, 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: 12754
- Airframe hours: 3384
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Operator: Steven Machide, doing business as Alaska Dept. Fish And Game
- Registered owner: Alaska Dept. Fish & Game
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 30, 1989, 59 hours before
- Airport: OME, Nome, runway 2, 5,776 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 773 total, 340 in this make and model, 689 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 14 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OME, 1 nm away

## Other investigations on N7853H (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 ANC79DA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC79DA078), Aug 9, 1979: Piper PA-12 (N7853H), Gulkana, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC77DAG39](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAG39), Mar 19, 1977: Piper PA-12 (N7853H), Peters Creek, AK, substantial damage

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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