# NTSB ANC97LA064: Piper PA-12, N4076M, Dillingahm, AK, April 30, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1997, 12:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Dillingahm, AK
- Coordinates: 58.820674, -157.859466 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.8207&lon=-157.8595&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 4, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2997
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2997/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA064

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions.  Factors associated with the accident were the wind gusts and crosswind.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported he was landing on a remote beach site with a prevailing right quartering headwind.  During the landing roll, a gust of wind picked the right wing up, and the left wing and left elevator collided with the beach, causing substantial damage.

## Factual narrative

On April 30, 1997, about 1215 Alaska daylight time,  a wheel equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N4076M, sustained substantial damage while landing at a remote beach site located about 34 miles southwest of Dillingham, Alaska.  The solo commercial certificated pilot was not injured.  The local, 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The flight departed Dillingham about 1150.

During a telephone conversation with an NTSB investigator on May 1, the pilot related he was landing to the northwest, with a quartering right headwind.  During the landing roll, a wind gust lifted the right wing, and the left wing and left elevator struck the ground.  The left wing and left side of the elevator received substantial damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4076M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4076M), registered now, S/N 12-2958, built 1947 (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: 12-2958
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kelly Lucas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1997
- Departed: DLG

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,098 total, 38 in this make and model, 988 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °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 19970430007379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970430007379A), Apr 30, 1997: Piper PA12, Dillingham, AK, Substantial damage. Wind gust lifted a wing landing on remote beach sight. Left wing and elevator damaged.

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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