# NTSB CHI06CA019: Piper PA-12, Brainerd, MN, October 27, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 27, 2005, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Brainerd, MN
- Coordinates: 46.398334, -94.138053
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3983&lon=-94.1381&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Minneapolis FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62770
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62770/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA019

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent brake application during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent ground loop.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - brakes(normal) - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The airplane ground looped during the takeoff roll.  The pilot reported that after he applied engine power for the takeoff run, the airplane "started to the left, I overcorrected to the right, and then overcorrected to the left."  The pilot stated that he attempted to abort the takeoff, but the airplane "ground looped to the left" before he could regain directional control.  The pilot said that he "did not make sure [his] heels were on the floor and off the heel brakes, prior to takeoff."

## Factual narrative

This report is based on information received by the NTSB.  Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case.  For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CF-JVT (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-12
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-3125
- Airframe hours: 4200.1
- Engines: Lycoming O-290-B 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas Edward Goodwater
- Registered owner: Mark Criger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2005, 6.4 hours before
- Departed: BRD, Brainerd, MN
- Destination: LNK, Lincoln, NE
- Airport: BRD, Brainerd Lakes Regional, runway 5, 6,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2005; seat: front; flight hours: 3,320 total, 3 in this make and model, 3,062 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1.75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observed at: BRD

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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