# NTSB ANC95LA171: Piper PA-12, N3334M, Aniak, AK, September 17, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1995, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Aniak, AK
- Coordinates: 61.199489, -158.59909 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1995&lon=-158.5991&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): 2741
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2741/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA171

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable portion of the 6,000 foot long gravel runway for landing.  A factor associated with the accident was: the soft gravel berm on the runway.

## 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
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - berm (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,wheel - separation
- Nose down, landing

## Analysis

The pilot reported he was landing on a 6,000 foot long gravel runway. He said he did not see a soft, gravel berm on the runway prior to landing. The accident airplane's main landing gear encountered the gravel berm, and the left main wheel separated from the landing gear at the axle. The airplane subsequently nosed down.

## Factual narrative

On September 17, 1995, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N3334M, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage while landing at Aniak Airport, Aniak, Alaska. The solo private pilot was not injured. The personal flight operated without a flight plan in visual meteorological conditions.  The flight departed Grayling, Alaska, time unknown, and the destination was Aniak.

The pilot reported soon after he landed on the 6,000 foot long gravel runway, the main landing gear encountered an unseen, soft gravel berm. He said the left main landing gear wheel sheared at the axle, and the airplane nosed down.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3334M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-2192
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carl A. Walker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GRAYLING, AK
- Destination: ANI
- Airport: ANI, Aniak, runway 10, 6,000 × 150 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 98 total, 24 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANI

## 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 19950917029829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950917029829A), Sep 17, 1995: Piper PA12, Aniak, AK, Substantial damage. Main gear encountered unseen soft and on gravel runway. Left main wheel sheared off. Plane nosed down.

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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