# NTSB CEN12CA468: Piper PA-11, N4844M, Neilsville, WI, July 20, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 20, 2012, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Neilsville, WI - Coordinates: 44.554721, -90.507225 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5547&lon=-90.5072&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84412 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA468 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84412/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84412 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA468 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain control of the airplane during an attempted aborted landing, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-11, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101102), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper PA-11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7101102), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-11, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101102), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis After touching down, the pilot noticed that the airplane was not aligned with the runway and decided to abort the landing. The airplane turned left of the runway toward a cornfield, and the pilot applied power and pulled up. The airplane stalled and collided with the cornfield. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, an engine mount, the wing struts, and the left wing spar. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative During an aborted landing, the airplane stalled and collided with a cornfield to the left of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, an engine mount, the wing struts, and the left wing spar. The pilot reported there were no mechanical deficiencies prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4844M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4844M), registered now, S/N 11-361, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-11 - Registry model: [Piper PA-11](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-11) (registry code 7101102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11-361 - Airframe hours: 3785 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C90 SERIES 95 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Steven Humphrey - Registered owner: Gaier Jeffrey H - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2011 - Departed: MFI, Marshfield, WI - Destination: VIQ, Neilsville, WI - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: VIQ, Neillsville, runway 20 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 4, 2012; flight hours: 746 total, 11 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F - Observed at: MFI, 15 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 20120720014539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120720014539A), Jul 20, 2012: Piper PA-11, Neillsville, WI, Substantial damage. Pilot lost directional control while landing. He applied power and pulled up. Airplane stalled and crashed on the side of the runway. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 20, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84412. 913 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 775 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375249&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Record of Conversation with Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375399&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Pilot-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377340&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.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.