# NTSB BFO94LA119: Piper PA-12, N3807M, Germansville, PA, June 28, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1994, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Germansville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.720527, -75.709037 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7205&lon=-75.7090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 23, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8947
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8947/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA119

## Probable cause

The pilot failed to maintain a proper descent rate which resulted in an undershoot.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING THE SHORT FINAL APPROACH, ABOUT 100' ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, THE AIRPLANE'S RATE OF SINK INCREASED.  THE PILOT STATED, 'RATE OF SINK INCREASED....POWER WAS APPLIED AND PITCH ATTITUDE INCREASED....AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO SINK...TOUCHING DOWN...APPROXIMATELY 150' FROM [THE] RUNWAY....'  THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AFTER ENCOUNTERING HIGH VEGETATION.  POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO PRE-ACCIDENT RELATED DISCREPANCIES.

## Factual narrative

On June 28, 1994, at 1045 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N3807M, was substantially damaged, when it landed short of the runway at the Flying M Aerodrome, Germansville, Pennsylvania.  The certificated private pilot was not injured, but the passenger received serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated,

At approximately 100' [above ground level], on short      final approach, aircraft rate of sink increased      substantially to where it became apparent that [the]      runway would not be made without application of power.      Accordingly, power was applied and pitch attitude      increased so as to arrest descent rate.  Aircraft      continued to sink.  Touching down gently in wheat field      approximately 150' from runway 26 threshold....

After touchdown, the airplane rolled approximately 75 feet and the landing gear became entangled in wheat stalks causing the airplane to nose over.

Postaccident examination by the Federal Aviation Administration, revealed, no discrepancies with the airplane or engine.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3807M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3807M), registered now, S/N 12-2729, 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: 12-2729
- Airframe hours: 2850
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eleanorm  & Francis Carney
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1993, 16 hours before
- Departed: PA88
- Destination: PA88
- Airport: PA88, Flying M Aerodrome, runway 26, 2,370 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 201 total, 150 in this make and model, 81 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19940628017099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940628017099A), Jun 28, 1994: Piper PA12, Germansville, PA, Substantial damage. Uncorrected high sink rate on final resulted in landing short in cornstalks. Flipped over.

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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