# NTSB FTW94LA223: Piper PA-12, N2986M, Watson, AR, July 4, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1994, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Watson, AR
- Coordinates: 33.889404, -91.250305 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8894&lon=-91.2503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19106
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19106/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA223

## Probable cause

WAS THE EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED DURING APPROACH AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO EXECUTE A MISSED APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO EXECUTE A SHORT FIELD APPROACH TO A 900 FOOT LONG SANDY, GRASS ROAD. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN THE AIRPLANE ON FINAL APPROACH. THE PILOT DID NOT ABORT THE APPROACH AND OVERRAN THE THRESHOLD AT THE END OF THE ROAD. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AFTER COLLIDING WITH A DIRT EMBANKMENT COMING TO REST INVERTED.

## Factual narrative

On July 4, 1994, at 0930 central daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N2986M, was substantially damaged during landing near Watson, Arkansas.  The private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight.

According to the pilot, a short field approach was executed to a  900 foot "sandy grass private road strip" with tall trees at the departure end of the strip.  The pilot further stated that the approach speed appeared to be faster than normal and he was unable to slow down the airplane while on final approach.

The pilot added that he was not able to abort the landing, so he attempted to use maximum braking to avoid over running the end of the landing strip.  The airplane overran the end of the strip and colliding with a dirt embankment.  The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2986M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2986M), registered now, S/N 12-1371, 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: 12-1371
- Airframe hours: 2238
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Smith, James K.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1994, 100 hours before
- Departed: NONE, DUMAS, AR
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 220 total, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBF, 29 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 19940704017749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940704017749A), Jul 4, 1994: Piper PA12, Watson, AR, Substantial damage. Tried land on 900FT long piece of sandy grass road. Over ran area. Hit dirt bank and nosed over.

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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