# NTSB ANC95LA106: Piper PA-12, N2941M, Anchorage, AK, July 17, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1995, 22:00 local (Jul 17, 1995, 06:00 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.159214, -149.989242 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1592&lon=-149.9892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2687
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2687/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA106

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND LOOP/SWERVE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE WAS LANDING THE AIRPLANE IN A LIGHT CROSSWIND. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO GROUND LOOP, AND HE ATTEMPTED TO ABORT THE LANDING BY EXECUTING A GO-AROUND. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO GROUND LOOP, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED, AND THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND.

## Factual narrative

On July 16, 1995, at 2200 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N2941M, registered to and operated by the pilot, ground looped after an aborted landing at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska.  The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Merrill Field for a local flight.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged.

According to the pilot, he was landing the airplane in a light crosswind and the touchdown was firm.  The airplane started to ground loop and he attempted to abort the landing by initiating a go around.  The airplane continued to ground loop and the right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing struck the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2941M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-1338
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ralph V. Ertz Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1994, 12 hours before
- Departed: MRI
- Airport: MRI, Merrill Field, runway 24, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 96 total, 21 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 14,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRI

## 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 19950716018589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950716018589A), Jul 16, 1995: Piper PA12, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing began ground loop. Tried go around. Ground looped until gear folded. Wing hit.

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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