GAA17CA387

NTSB accident investigation · Piper PA 12 · Chickaloon, AK · June 25, 2017

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
June 25, 2017, 14:20 local (22:20 UTC)
Place
Chickaloon, AK
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N2737MPiper PA 12
Defining event
Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report December 15, 2017
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
General Aviation Accidents
Parties
FAA
FAA report
20170625005649A
Case key
95507

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare on a turf runway, which necessitated a go-around during which he failed to establish a climb.

Findings · 4

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Use of equip/info: aircraft controlPersonnel issues › Task performance · PilotPiper PA-12: 51 casesAll aircraft: 9,295 casesProbable cause
Performance/control parameters: climb rateAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedPiper PA-12: 2 casesAll aircraft: 265 casesProbable cause
Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide pathAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedPiper PA-12: 3 casesAll aircraft: 809 casesProbable cause
Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surfaceEnvironmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipmentPiper PA-12: 3 casesAll aircraft: 264 cases

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he attempted to land on a 600-ft-long turf surface. He overflew the landing site three times to assess its suitability. During the touchdown, the airplane bounced, and the pilot initiated a go-around. He reduced the flaps to 10°, turned the carburetor heat off, and applied full throttle; he could not remember the airspeed or trim position. The airplane did not climb and touched down in a ravine just beyond the initial landing area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward left side of the fuselage. In the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had "More training in high altitude takeoffs and landings. More training in go-around techniques in bush planes." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual narrative

The pilot in the tail wheel airplane reported that he attempted to land on a 600-ft. turf surface. He overflew the landing site three times to assess its suitability. During the touchdown, the airplane bounced, and the pilot initiated a go-around. He reduced the flaps to 10°, turned the carburetor heat off, and applied full throttle, but he could not remember the airspeed or trim position. The airplane did not climb and touched down in a ravine just beyond the initial landing area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward left side of the fuselage. Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had, "More training in high altitude take offs and landings. More training in go-around techniques in bush planes." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Aircraft

Registration
N2737M
Reported as
Piper PA 12 (NO SERIES)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
12-1141
Built
1946
Airframe hours
2,402
Engine
Lycoming O-235 SERIES, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · August 1, 2016
Departed
PABV · Chugiak, AK

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
50
Injuries
None
Certificates
Flight instructor, Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land, Single-engine sea
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 3, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review
August 10, 2016
Seat
Front
Flight hours
1,252 total · 24 in this make and model · 1,162 as pilot in command · 29 in the last 90 days · 5 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
260° at 10 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
20,000 ft overcast
Temperature
72 °F, dew point 52 °F
Altimeter
29.93 inHg
Observed at
PAAQ, 21 nm away

Docket · 2

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2017, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 3.7 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.