# NTSB CEN21LA159: Piper PA-12, N2849M, Erie, CO, March 17, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 17, 2021, 10:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Erie, CO
- Coordinates: 40.01025, -105.04808 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0102&lon=-105.0481&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 102781
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102781/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102781
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA159

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a full-stop landing, resulting in a runway excursion and impact with a snow berm.

## 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-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)
- [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)
- [Object/animal/substance: snow/ice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/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: 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)
- [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: 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 reported that while making a full-stop landing following a local flight in his tailwheel-equipped airplane and slowing on the runway centerline, the airplane began drifting to the left toward a snow berm on the edge of the runway. The pilot added power as the left main landing gear tire contacted the snow. The airplane slid into the berm and came to rest in about 8-12 inches of snow. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left elevator. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2849M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2849M), registered now, S/N 12-1402, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-1402
- Year built: 1947
- Airframe hours: 3926
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: 49 Mike Partnership
- Registered owner: 49 Mike Partnership
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 13, 2020, 66.4 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: EIK, Erie Municipal, runway 33, 4,600 × 50 ft, concrete
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 11, 2020; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 18,000 total, 163 in this make and model, 14,500 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: KEIK
- METAR: KEIK 171655Z AUTO 00000KT 7SM SCT090 01/M02 RMK AO2 T00141018 PWINO

## 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 20210317001009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210317001009A), Mar 17, 2021: Piper PA-12, Erie, CO, Substantial damage. During landing roll out on runway 33, at approximately 20 mph, aircraft drifted towards left edge of runway. Pilot (in the rear seat) applied right rudder and…

## Other investigations on N2849M (2)

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.

- [NTSB FTW97LA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA312), Aug 15, 1997: Piper PA-12 (N2849M), Longmont, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot in command's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft, resulting in an inadvertent ground loop.
- [NTSB MIA73DKJ67](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA73DKJ67), Jun 3, 1973: Piper PA-12 (N2849M), Brownsboro, AL, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 15, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102781. 11.4 MB in all.

- NTSB form 6120 pilot operator report CEN21LA159 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 6.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12111716&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20CEN21LA159_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array CEN21LA159 (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12111492&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20CEN21LA159_Redacted-Rel.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.

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