# NTSB ANC94LA063: Piper PA-12, N4380M, Fairbanks, AK, June 1, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 1, 1994, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Location: 64.8378° N, 147.7164° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fairbanks, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8378&lon=-147.7164&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2507 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2507/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA063 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN UNSUITABLE LANDING AREA. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED HE OVERFLEW THE LANDING AREA AND DID NOT SEE ANY OBSTRUCTION. HE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE LANDING AREA INTENDING TO 'DRAG THE LANDING AREA' BUT BECAUSE THE LANDING WAS SMOOTH HE ELECTED TO REMAIN ON THE GROUND. APPROXIMATELY 2/3 OF THE WAY DOWN THE LANDING AREA HE SAW A DITCH AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE DITCH. HE STATED HE WAS TOO SLOW TO ATTEMPT A GO AROUND AND HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRPLANE. THE MAIN GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE AND THE PLANE SKIDDED TO A STOP. ## Factual narrative On June 1, 1994, at 1400 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N4380M, hit a 3-4 ft. deep trench during landing rollout, collapsing the landing gear, and damaging the wings and fuselage. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions. The flight departed from Fairbanks and the destination was a sand bar on the Tanana river. No flight plan was filed. The Pilot in Command was uninjured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. According to the Pilot in Command, he was looking for a place to land and made two passes, one at 200 feet above the ground (AGL) and another at 150 AGL. He then made two more passes perpendicular to the intended landing site at 50 AGL. He stated he could see no obstruction. He lined up on final and intended to do a "3 foot drag" and possibly touchdown. He touched down and stated the landing was smooth and he decided to brake and remain on the ground. Approximately 2/3 of the way down the landing area he saw a ditch and was not able to execute a go around or stop before hitting the ditch. When the airplane struck the ditch, the main landing gear separated from the fuselage and the airplane skidded to a stop while dragging its right wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4380M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4380M), registered now, S/N 12-3316 (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: 12-3316 - Airframe hours: 3992 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Krize, Robert L. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1994, 7 hours before - Destination: TANANA RIVER, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 326 total, 205 in this make and model, 326 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 8 knots - Visibility: 90 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19940601013359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940601013359A), Jun 1, 1994: Piper STCPA12, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Struck a ditch landing on a sandbar. Broke off the landing gear. ## Other investigations on N4380M (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 ANC98LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA007), Oct 26, 1997: Piper PA-12 (N4380M), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. 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.