# NTSB ANC95LA165: Piper PA-12, N45DK, Anchorage, AK, September 10, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1995, 17:00 local (Sep 10, 1995, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.220737, -149.850799 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2207&lon=-149.8508&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, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2738
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2738/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA165

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions.  A factor relating to the accident was: the gusty crosswind condition.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - swampy
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

The pilot reported he was attempting to land the airplane on the remnants of an old road in gusty crosswind conditions. He said that during the landing roll, a wind gust caused him to lose directional control. The left main wheel went off the road and into an adjoining marsh. The airplane's main landing gear then struck a log, and the airplane nosed over.

## Factual narrative

On September 9, 1995, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N45DK, sustained substantial damage while landing at an off airport site approximately 30 miles west of Anchorage, Alaska.  The solo private pilot was not injured. The personal flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated at Merrill Field, Anchorage, about 1630.

The pilot reported he was attempting to land the airplane in gusty crosswind conditions near the Susitna River on the remnants of a gravel road. He said a wind gust caused him to lose directional control while landing. He attempted to abort the landing, but the left wheel went off the edge of the gravel landing surface. The airplane subsequently went into a marshy area, struck a log and nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45DK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45DK-2018-04-19), registration cancelled 2018-04-19, S/N 12-1223, 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 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-1223
- Airframe hours: 4953
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brent C. Shaffer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 1995, 103 hours before
- Departed: MRI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 335 total, 88 in this make and model, 296 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °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 19950909030339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950909030339A), Sep 9, 1995: Piper PA12, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing at remote gravel strip. Left wheel ran off gravel went into marsh. Struck a log.

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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