# NTSB GAA17CA387: Piper PA 12, N2737M, Chickaloon, AK, June 25, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 25, 2017, 14:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: Chickaloon, AK - Coordinates: 61.793056, -148.492492 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7931&lon=-148.4925&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95507 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA387 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95507/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95507 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA387 ## 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 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: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: 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) - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2737M), registered now, S/N 12-1141, 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: 12-1141 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 2402 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; 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 ## 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 20170625005649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170625005649A), Jun 25, 2017: Piper PA-12, Chickaloon, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft bounced on touchdown, PIC (pilot in command) attempted go around and hit terrain. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95507. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457639&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457640&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.