# NTSB ERA09CA275: Piper PA-12, N3036M, Georgetown, SC, April 29, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 29, 2009, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Georgetown, SC - Coordinates: 33.311668, -79.319725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3117&lon=-79.3197&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 August 13, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73754 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA275 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73754/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73754 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA275 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of experience in the make and model airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/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-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) ## Analysis The recently hired, tailwheel-endorsed commercial pilot was acting as pilot-in-command and was accompanied by the chief pilot of a banner tow company. He was practicing touch and go landings in a tailwheel airplane. During the second landing, the airplane turned to the right soon after the tailwheel contacted the runway. The pilot attempted to maintain directional control, but was unable to prevent the airplane departing the runway. The airplane ground looped, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing was bent upward. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The recorded wind, about the time of the accident, was oriented with the runway heading at 5 knots. The pilot reported 319 hours of total flight experience, of which 3 hours were in the tailwheel-type airplane. ## Factual narrative The recently hired, tailwheel endorsed, commercial pilot was acting as pilot-in-command and was accompanied by the chief pilot of a banner tow company. He was practicing touch and go landings in a tailwheel airplane. During the second landing, the airplane turned to the right soon after the tailwheel contacted the runway. The pilot attempted to maintain directional control, but was unable to prevent the airplane departing the runway. The airplane ground looped, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing was bent upward. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The recorded wind, about the time of the accident, was oriented with the runway heading at 5 knots. The pilot reported 319 hours of total flight experience; of which, 3 hours were in the tailwheel type airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3036M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3036M), registered now, S/N 12-1581, built 1947 (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: 12-1581 - Airframe hours: 9944 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Barnstormers Flite Signs - Registered owner: Barnstormers Flite Signs - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 8, 2009, 18 hours before - Departed: CRE, N. Myrtle Beach, SC - Destination: GGE, Georgetown, SC - Airport: GGE, Georgetown County Airport, runway 23, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 22, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 319 total, 3 in this make and model, 187 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Other flight crew; age 43; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 5, 2009; seat: rear; flight hours: 4,500 total, 3,800 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: GGE ## 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 20090429007629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090429007629A), Apr 29, 2009: Piper PA12, Georgetown, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) On April 29, 2009 at 1145 a Piper PA-12, N3036M registered to barnstormer flite signs entered a ground loop at Georgetown, SC (gge). The left wing has… ## Other investigations on N3036M (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 ERA23LA356](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA356), Jul 31, 2023: Piper PA-12 (N3036M), Myrtle Beach, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. - [NTSB ATL95LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA148), Jul 26, 1995: Piper PA-12 (N3036M), N. Myrtle Beach, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE IMPROPER STARTING PROCEDURE USED BY THE PILOT IN THAT HE FAILED TO USE WHEEL CHOCKS TO PRECLUDE AIRCRAFT MOVEMENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE THROTTLE WAS NOT PLACED IN THE IDLE POSITION. ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 8, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73754. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313672&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313437&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Statement (item 3, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313438&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statement-Master.PDF - Chief Pilot Statement (item 4, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313439&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Chief%20Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Reports (item 5, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313440&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF - Photo of Airplane Damage (Photo Courtesy of Barnstormer Flite Signs Inc) (item 6, .PDF, 295 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313671&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20of%20Airplane%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Barnstormer%20Flite%20Signs%20Inc)-Master.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.