# NTSB GAA15CA012: Piper PA 12, N2722M, Midland, TX, March 19, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 19, 2015, 18:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Midland, TX
- Coordinates: 31.942499, -102.201942 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9425&lon=-102.2019&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 1, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90899
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90899/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90899
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA012

## Probable cause

The pilot's excessive braking during the landing roll.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md)
- [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/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: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot landed the tailwheel-equipped airplane in variable wind conditions. During the landing roll he applied excessive brake in fear of a runway excursion, which resulted in the airplane nosing over and coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its wings, left wing strut and rudder. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot landed the tailwheel-equipped airplane in variable wind conditions. During the landing roll he applied excessive brake in fear of a runway excursion, which resulted in the airplane nosing over and coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its wings, left wing strut and rudder. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2722M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2722M), registered now, S/N 12-1133, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 12 (NO SERIES)
- 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: 12-1133
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 2193.7
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Watson Jay C
- Registered owner: Watson Jay C
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 2015, 2 hours before
- Departed: 7T7, MIDLAND, TX
- Destination: 7T7, MIDLAND, TX
- Airport: 7T7, Skywest Inc, runway 06, 2,800 × 45 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 2, 2013; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 573.7 total, 41.7 in this make and model, 573.7 as pilot in command, 15.8 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: KMAF, 9 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 20150319003789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150319003789A), Mar 19, 2015: Piper PA-12, Midland, TX, Minor damage. March 19, 2015 the pilot, sole person onboard, no injuries. The pilot was praciticing short field take off and landings at the Midland Skywest Airport. During…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 27, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90899. 4.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 999 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426994&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426995&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Weather (item 3, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426996&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Weather-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of Pilot) (item 4, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426997&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-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.

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