# NTSB CEN10CA451: Piper PA-12, N775PA, Wild Rose, WI, August 2, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 2, 2010, 06:30 local (11:30 UTC) - Place: Wild Rose, WI - Coordinates: 44.197776, -89.217781 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1978&lon=-89.2178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 7, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76813 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA451 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76813/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76813 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA451 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during the takeoff roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that tailwheel-equipped airplane was accelerating on the takeoff roll when the tail became airborne before rotation speed, which was immediately followed by a left yaw/swerve. He attempted to regain directional control with right rudder and brake inputs, but the airplane continued in the left swerve. He elected to abort the takeoff by reducing engine power to idle while continuing to apply right rudder and brake inputs. He used aggressive braking as the airplane approached the left edge of the runway, but the airplane continued off the runway and struck several trees. He noted that the turf-runway was dew covered and that the wind was at approximately 3 knots, with no gusts. The leading edge of both wings, vertical stabilizer, and rudder were substantially damaged during the accident. A postaccident inspection of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunction of the tailwheel or braking systems. ## Factual narrative The accident occurred while the tail-wheel equipped airplane was accelerating on the takeoff roll. The pilot reported that the airplane's tail became airborne before rotation speed, and was immediately followed by a left yaw/swerve. He attempted to regain directional control with right rudder and brake inputs, but the airplane continued in the left swerve. He elected to abort the takeoff by reducing engine power to idle while continuing to apply right rudder and brake inputs. The pilot stated that he used "aggressive" braking as the airplane approached the left edge of the runway, but the airplane departed the runway and struck several trees. He noted that the turf-runway was dew covered and that the winds were approximately 3 knots from the southwest, with no gusts. The leading edges of both wings, vertical stabilizer, and rudder were substantially damaged during the accident. A post-accident inspection of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunction of the tailwheel or braking systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N775PA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N775PA-2013-08-08), registration cancelled 2013-08-08, S/N 12-2804, 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: 12-2804 - Airframe hours: 2020 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Operator: UND Aerospace Foundation - Registered owner: UND Aerospace Foundation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 23, 2010 - Departed: W23, Wild Rose, WI - Destination: KRPD, Rice Lake, WI - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: W23, Wild Rose Idlewild Airport, runway 27, 2,990 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 6,350 total, 7 in this make and model, 6,324 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KY50, 10 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 20100802039579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100802039579A), Aug 2, 2010: Piper PA-12, Wild Rose, WI, Substantial damage. On August 2, 2010 at 0630 CDT a Piper PA-12 super cruiser operated by alan frazier on an intended flight from Wild Rose, Wisconsin left runway 27 during the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 10, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76813. 968 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 874 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341699&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341700&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF 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.