# NTSB ANC91LA048: Piper PA-12, N123TL, Anchorage, AK, April 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1991, 19:32 local (23:32 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.179317, -149.880599 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1793&lon=-149.8806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5535
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5535/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA048

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LACK OF CURRENCY WITH THE TYPE OF LANDING GEAR INVOLVED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD JUST CHANGED THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING GEAR FROM SKIS TO WHEELS.  THIS WAS HIS FIRST FLIGHT ON THIS TYPE OF LANDING GEAR.  WHEN HE WAS ON SHORT FINAL, THE TOWER REQUESTED MINIMUM TIME ON THE RUNWAY. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AS SOON AS THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED THE GROUND.  THE AIRPLANE IMMEDIATELY NOSED OVER.  NO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES WERE FOUND WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N123TL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N123TL-1998-04-17), registration cancelled 1998-04-17, S/N 123969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-3969
- Airframe hours: 2878
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David E. Williams
- Registered owner: David E. Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1991, 6 hours before
- Departed: Z40, GOOSE BAY, AK
- Airport: Z41, Lake Hood Strip, runway 13, 2,200 × 75 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 347 total, 11 in this make and model, 303 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °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 19910405009209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910405009209A), Apr 5, 1991: Piper STCPA12, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Trying to accommodate tower request minimum delay. Hit brakes on touchdown and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N123TL (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 ANC93LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA151), Aug 18, 1993: Piper PA-12 (N123TL), Goose Bay, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE INSTALLATION INFORMATION SUPPLIED WITH THE STC FOR THE ENGINE UPGRADE.

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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