# NTSB FTW94LA108: Piper PA-12, N2966M, Rayville, LA, March 22, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 21, 1994, 18:20 local (Mar 22, 1994, 00:20 UTC) - Place: Rayville, LA - Coordinates: 32.470073, -91.749961 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4701&lon=-91.7500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19018 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA108 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19018/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA108 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE TURN TO FINAL APPROACH. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis DURING APPROACH THE PILOT OVERSHOT THE RUNWAY AND IN AN ATTEMPT TO REALIGN THE AIRCRAFT THE PILOT EXECUTED A STEEP TURN. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE TURN FROM BASE TO FINAL THE NOSE FELL AND THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A SPIN. HE REGAINED CONTROL; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NOT SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO AVOID GROUND IMPACT. ## Factual narrative On March 21, 1994, at 1820 central standard time, a Piper PA-12, N2966M, was substantially damaged while maneuvering near Rayville, Louisiana. The commercial pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. In the Pilot/Operator report, the pilot stated that during the turn from base to final, he overshot the runway. He further stated that he initiated a "steeper bank" to align the aircraft with the runway. During the "steep turn the nose of the aircraft fell rapidly" and it began to spin. Just prior to ground impact the pilot felt that he regained control of the aircraft; however, he did not have enough altitude to prevent ground impact and slid on it's under carriage for 150 feet. An examination of the aircraft revealed no anomalies. The aircraft was released to the owner. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2966M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2966M-2025-02-22), registration cancelled 2025-02-22, S/N 12-1360, 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: 12-1360 - Airframe hours: 12816 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Carter, Christoper T. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 1994, 1 hours before - Airport: M79, Rayville Minicipal, runway 18, 3,700 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 370 total, 76 in this make and model, 296 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 6 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MLU, 17 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 19940321006129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940321006129A), Mar 21, 1994: Piper PA12, Rayville, LA, Substantial damage. Overshot runway on base. Braked steeply to realign. Entered a spin. Recovered but impacted short of runway. ## Other investigations on N2966M (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 MIA93LA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA192), Sep 3, 1993: Piper PA-12 (N2966M), Greenwood, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND/CFI WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT AND THE WORN CONDITION OF THE TAILWHEEL ASSEMBLY. 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.