# NTSB CEN25LA235: Piper PA12, N7635H, Brush, CO, July 2, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 2, 2025, 11:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Brush, CO - Coordinates: 40.264409, -103.57565 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2644&lon=-103.5756&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 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): 200472 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA235 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200472/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200472 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA235 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while performing a touch and go landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/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) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: 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) ## Analysis The pilot flew to the airport to perform a touch and go landing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, and the airfield’s windsock showed a southwest wind at 5 to 7 knots. He chose runway 25 and increased his landing speed due to rough air during the approach. He flew the airplane down to a 3-point landing on the runway. After landing, the wind shifted from the south and the airplane drifted to the right, so the pilot applied left rudder to correct. He added power to increase rudder effectiveness and attempted to takeoff. The pilot lost directional control of the airplane as it entered a ground loop. He attempted to regain control of the airplane, but it departed the left side of the runway, went over an embankment. The airplane became airborne, stalled, and impacted the terrain. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7635H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7635H), registered now, S/N 12-510, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA12 - 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: 12-510 - Year built: 1946 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Obrien Kenneth J - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 26, 2025 - Departed: KSNY, Sidney, NE - Destination: KEIK, Erie, CO - Airport: 7V5, Brush Muni, runway 25, 4,300 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 17, 2025; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 167 total, 25 in this make and model, 115 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KFMM, 11 nm away - METAR: KFMM 021755Z AUTO VRB05KT 10SM CLR 30/14 A3006 RMK AO2 ## 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 20250702007429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250702007429A), Jul 2, 2025: Piper PA-12, Brush, CO, Substantial damage. On 07/02/2025 around 1145 MDT the PIC was practicing pattern work. On the initial approach to 7V5 on a left downwind the aircraft touched down. Moments later… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 18, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200472. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19215593&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Form%206120%20N7635H_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 355 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19214423&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA235%20photos%202-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. --- 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.