# NTSB ATL97LA098: Piper PA-12, N7799H, Swansboro, NC, July 5, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 5, 1997, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Swansboro, NC - Coordinates: 34.69083, -77.119049 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6908&lon=-77.1190&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3869 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3869/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA098 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the gusting winds. ## 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 - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - aborted - aborted landing - performed, pilot in command - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment ## Analysis After the pilot dropped the banner, he returned to the airstrip for a normal landing. The airplane touched down at the mid-field point of the 2,400-foot-long sod strip. After rolling several hundred feet, the airplane started drifting right of the centerline. As the airplane neared the edge of the runway, the pilot advanced the throttle and attempted a takeoff. The airplane continued off the right side of the runway and collided with an embankment. According to the pilot, he experienced gusting winds during the landing. ## Factual narrative On July 5, 1997, at 1500 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N7799H, veered off the right side of runway 23 during an attempted takeoff, and collided with an embankment at a private airstrip in Swansboro, North Carolina. The banner tow flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The rated pilot was not injured. The local flight departed Swansboro, North Carolina, at approximately 0900. The pilot reported that they had a busy morning and afternoon of banner activity. On this leg of the operation, he dropped the banner as normal, and returned to the airstrip for a normal landing. The airplane touched down at the mid-field point of the 2400 foot long sod strip. After rolling several hundred feet, the airplane started drifting right of the centerline. As the airplane neared the edge of the runway, the pilot advanced the throttle and attempted a takeoff. The airplane continued off the right side of runway 23 and collided with an embankment. According to the pilot, he experienced gusting winds during the attempted landing. During the examination of the airframe, corrosion was found on the right landing gear strut. A review of the aircraft records also showed previous corrosion on the left landing gear strut. The landing assembly remained intact throughout the landing roll on the runway. The left main landing gear was torn from the airframe after the airplane departed the runway surface. The examination of the brake system failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7799H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7799H-2013-09-19), registration cancelled 2013-09-19, S/N 12-696, 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: PA-12-696 - Airframe hours: 3000 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Peacock Aero Services - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 31, 1996, 300 hours before - Departed: 4NC5 - Airport: 4NC5, Private, runway 5, 2,700 × 66 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,600 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 11 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: NKT, 36 nm away ## 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 19970705020059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970705020059A), Jul 5, 1997: Piper STCPA12, Swansboro, NC, Substantial damage. Drifted landing quartering tailwind exited runway into embankment. Left gear tore off. Corrosion on right gear. (-23) pilot was engaged in banner towing… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.