# NTSB ANC96LA166: Piper PA-12, N7895H, Chitina, AK, September 13, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1996, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Chitina, AK
- Coordinates: 61.449863, -143.150314 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4499&lon=-143.1503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2912
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2912/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA166

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site. A factor associated with the accident is the rough and uneven landing site.

## 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 - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

The student pilot reported he was landing at a remote off-airport site to replenish the grain supply for the horses he used in his hunt/guide operation.  He said during the landing roll, the left main landing gear tire struck a rock and the left main landing gear collapsed.  Soon thereafter, the right main landing gear also collapsed.

## Factual narrative

On September 13, 1996, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N7895H, sustained substantial damage while landing at a remote, off airport site located about 15 miles north of Chitina, Alaska.  The solo student pilot was not injured.  The personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The flight departed the Strelna, airstrip, Strelna, Alaska, about 1450, and the destination was the accident site.

During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on October 3, the  pilot reported that he was landing to the west on the 800 feet long gravel strip.  He said towards the end of the landing roll, the left main landing gear tire encountered a rock, and the left main landing gear collapsed.  He said soon thereafter, the right main landing gear collapsed.  The pilot said the fuselage, lift struts and propeller were damaged in the accident.

The pilot said the purpose of the flight was to bring grain to feed the horses he used in his hunt/guide business.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7895H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7895H), registered now, S/N 12-799, 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 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-799
- Engines: Lycoming O-290D2 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles A. Edmonds
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1995, 22 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19960913030879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960913030879A), Sep 13, 1996: Piper PA12, Chitna, AK, Substantial damage. Struck rocks landing on short gravel strip. Collapsed both main landing gears. Used plane as hunt guide business.

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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