# NTSB DEN01LA117: Piper PA-12, N7850H, Eagle, CO, June 24, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 24, 2001, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Eagle, CO - Coordinates: 39.65073, -106.819351 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6507&lon=-106.8194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-- Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 52552 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN01LA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52552/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA117 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate wind evaluation, and his inadequate planning/decision to land with a tailwind, at a density altitude of 13,418 feet. Contributing factors were the tailwind and the high density altitude weather condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) - terrain condition - rising - terrain condition - tundra ## Analysis The pilot was practicing off runway landings in the tundra at approximately 11,000 feet. He selected a landing area, made a few passes to inspect the site, and decided to land uphill. On short final, he "realized that my sink rate was higher than I was comfortable with, and my groundspeed was too high." He applied full power, but contacted the ground while the airplane was in a crab. Both main landing gear were broken off, and the wings were bent. The pilot said that after he exited the airplane, he noted that he had landed with a 20 knot quartering tailwind. He also stated that the ambient air temperature at the crash site was 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The calculated density altitude was 13,418 feet. ## Factual narrative On June 24, 2001, at approximately 1200 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N7850H, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain near Eagle, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured. The pilot was operating the airplane under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight which originated from Boulder Municipal Airport, Boulder, Colorado, at approximately 1030. The pilot did not file a flight plan. According to the pilot's written statement, he was planning to fly "more or less" direct to Castle Peak (approximately 9 miles northeast of Eagle County Regional Airport) to look for landing sites on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land. He identified a potential landing site at approximately 11,000 feet elevation. He decided he would attempt an approach from the west, uphill. On short final, he "realized that my sink rate was higher than I was comfortable with, and my groundspeed was too high," and he tried to go-around. He applied full power, but was unable to clear the terrain. The airplane was in a 30 degree crab, and the pilot attempted to correct it back to the ground track by adding right rudder. The right main landing gear contacted the ground, and the airplane turned approximately 180 degrees and came to rest in about 100 feet. The landing gear separated from the fuselage, both wings were wrinkled on top, and the cowling was bent. The pilot said that after he exited the airplane, he observed that he had landed with a 20 knot quartering tailwind. He also stated that the ambient air temperature at the crash site was 60 degrees Fahrenheit; the calculated density altitude was 13,418 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7850H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7850H), registered now, S/N 12-750 (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 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-750 - Airframe hours: 3000 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ralph A. Young - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2001, 5 hours before - Departed: 1V5, Boulder, CO - Destination: 1V5, Boulder, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 21, 2000; seat: front; flight hours: 377 total, 222 in this make and model, 304 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 10 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KEGE, 8 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 20010624018029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010624018029A), Jun 24, 2001: Piper PA12, Eagle, CO, No damage. (-23) Pilot encountered rising terrain and tail wind while attempting a landing at a mountain clearing (11,100 ft. elevation). ## Other investigations on N7850H (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 ANC92LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA098), Jun 21, 1992: Piper PA-12 (N7850H), Kantishna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S EXCESSIVE TAXI SPEED. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE CROSSWIND AND DUSK LIGHT CONDITIONS. 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.