# NTSB ANC94LA132: James Chisum CHISUM-SCRAPS, N1771C, Fairbanks, AK, September 7, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1994, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.900543, -148.159378 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.9005&lon=-148.1594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2563
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2563/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA132

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.  FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE SOFT TERRAIN AND INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION.

## 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)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS LANDING AN EXPERIMENTAL AIRPLANE AT A REMOTE TUNDRA AIRSTRIP FOR THE PURPOSE OF RETRIEVING MEAT FROM A RECENT HUNTING TRIP.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR BEGAN TO SETTLE INTO SOFT TERRAIN AND THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO DIVERGE FROM THE INTENDED DIRECTION OF LANDING.  THE PILOT APPLIED LEFT RUDDER AND APPLIED THE BRAKES.  THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AND RECEIVED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING AND TAIL.

## Factual narrative

On September 7, 1994, at 1300 Alaska daylight time, N1771C, a wheel equipped experimental James Chisum, Chisum-Scraps airplane, (a modified Piper, PA-12), nosed over during the landing rollout at a remote tundra strip located approximately 40 miles south of Fairbanks, Alaska.  The airplane, registered to the pilot-in-command, sustained substantial damage.  The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The pleasure flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 for the purpose of recovering moose meat from a recent hunt, last departed the Fairbanks municipality at about 1230 and the intended destination was the site of the mishap.  According to the pilot, visual meteorological conditions prevailed and personal acquaintances were aware of his flight itinerary.

During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on the morning of September 8, 1994, the pilot reported that during the landing rollout, the right wheel began to settle into the soft soil and divert the plane away from the intended landing direction.  The pilot applied left rudder and brake to counter the unintended ground track and the plane nosed over resulting in damage to the top of the rudder and left wing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1771C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1771C-2012-09-12), registration cancelled 2012-09-12, S/N 1-18-92, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JAMES CHISUM CHISUM-SCRAPS (CHISUM-SCR)
- Registry model: [Chisum James CHISUM SCRAPS](https://openairdocs.org/model/chisum-james-chisum-scraps) (registry code 05618TE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 89
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-E1AD 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chisum, Jonathan J.
- Registered owner: Chisum, Jonathan J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 1994, 89 hours before
- Departed: AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 16,000 total, 89 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19940907025989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940907025989A), Sep 7, 1994: Piper PA12, Fairanks, AK, Substantial damage. Landed at remote sight. Wheel entered soft spot. Used rudder and brake to counter swerve. Nosed over.

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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