# NTSB GAA17CA193: Piper PA 12, N92544, Palmer, AK, March 19, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 19, 2017, 13:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.599445, -149.086669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5994&lon=-149.0867&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94887 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94887/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94887 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA193 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a ground loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: 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) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff, he added full power, applied right rudder, and "pushed [the] stick forward to lift [the] tail off the ground." He added that the tail came back onto the ground and that the airplane veered to the right. He further added that he overcorrected to the left and that the airplane ground looped; subsequently, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing and elevator impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during takeoff he added full power, applied right rudder, and "pushed [the] stick forward to lift [the] tail off the ground". He added that the tail came back onto the ground and the airplane veered to the right. He further added that he overcorrected to the left and the airplane ground looped; subsequently, the right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing and elevator impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N92544](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N92544), registered now, S/N 12-73, 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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-73 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 1873 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 30, 2016 - Departed: PAQ, Palmer, AK - Destination: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: PAQ, Palmer Muni, runway 16, 6,009 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 16, 2012; seat: front; flight hours: 600 total, 2 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 29.73 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ ## 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 20170319014539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170319014539A), Mar 19, 2017: Piper PA-12, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. During takeoff, pilot returned to ground and aircraft veered right, pilot overcorrected and aircraft then went left collapsing the right main gear. Substantial… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 7, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94887. 520 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 256 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458607&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 263 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450981&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.