# NTSB CHI07CA306: Piper PA-12, N2560M, Detroit Lakes, MN, September 26, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 26, 2007, 11:59 local (16:59 UTC) - Place: Detroit Lakes, MN - Coordinates: 46.825, -95.885559 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8250&lon=-95.8856&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: MSP - NTSB case key (mKey): 66938 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA306 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66938/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA306 ## Probable cause The reduced airplane climb performance capability resulting in the pilot not obtaining a proper climb rate during takeoff and the inadequate flare by the pilot during the aborted takeoff. Additional causes were the inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot, the airplane weight and balance exceeded by the pilot, and the inadequate compensation for wind conditions by they pilot. A contributing factor was the low airspeed at the time of the aborted takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - aircraft performance,climb capability - reduced (cause) - proper climb rate - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause) - Hard landing, takeoff - aborted - airspeed - low (contributing factor) - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The float plane was operated as a rental airplane when it received substantial damage during a hard landing on a lake following an aborted takeoff. The pilot stated that he took off toward the south and that the airplane became airborne "somewhat earlier than [he] anticipated and began to drift to the left." The pilot stated that he saw a peninsula along the flight path and was unsure of the float plane's ability to climb or turn to the right "properly" to avoid it. He then performed an aborted takeoff at 10-15 feet above the lake. He stated that the landing was "firm/hard," and the right fuselage strut partially collapsed into the right float upon landing. The pilot stated that if the float plane was aligned more to the right at lift off, he would have been "OK." He stated that he anticipated a left to right wind but encountered a right to left wind. The airplane rental operator stated that the pilot had two 5-gallon containers of fuel in the rear baggage compartment, and the airplane was over gross weight. ## Factual narrative The float plane was operated as a rental airplane when it received substantial damage during a hard landing on a lake following an aborted takeoff. The pilot stated that he took off toward the south and that the airplane became airborne "somewhat earlier than [he] anticipated and began to drift to the left." The pilot stated that he saw a peninsula along the flight path and was unsure of the float plane's ability to climb or turn to the right "properly" to avoid it. He then performed an aborted takeoff at 10-15 feet above the lake. He stated that the landing was "firm/hard," and the right fuselage strut partially collapsed into the right float upon landing. The pilot stated that if the float plane was aligned more to the right at lift off, he would have been "OK." He stated that he anticipated a left to right wind but encountered a right to left wind. The airplane rental operator stated that the pilot had two 5-gallon containers of fuel in the rear baggage compartment, and the airplane was over gross weight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2560M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2560M), registered now, S/N 12-936, built 1946 (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: 12-936 - Engines: Textron Lycoming O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Super Cub Flyers Inc. - Registered owner: Super Cub Flyers Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Detroit Lakes, MN - Destination: Long Lake, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 19,912 total, 14 in this make and model, 12,400 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: DTL ## 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 20070926021849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070926021849A), Sep 26, 2007: Piper PA12, Detroit Lakes, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 26, 2007, at 1140 CST, a Piper cub owned by super cub flyers, inc. and operated by the pilot [privacy data omitted] had a hard landing after… ## Other investigations on N2560M (1) 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 CHI81DER18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81DER18), Feb 15, 1981: Piper PA-12 (N2560M), Kelliher, MN, substantial damage 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.