# NTSB GAA17CA527: Piper PA 12, N4088M, Kotzebue, AK, September 6, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 6, 2017, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Kotzebue, AK
- Coordinates: 67.353057, -160.493896 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.3531&lon=-160.4939&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- 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): 95981
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA527
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95981/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95981
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA527

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing on an unimproved airstrip in gusting wind conditions.

## Findings

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

- [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)
- [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)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: 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)
- [Landing: 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)
- [Landing: 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)
- [Landing: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while landing uphill on an unimproved gravel airstrip, the tailwheel-equipped airplane landed "smooth." He added that, while taxiing to the crest of the hill, a wind gust forced the airplane to become airborne. The airplane then drifted to the left, and he attempted to correct with full right aileron and maximum power. The airplane continued to bank left until "the wind forced the tail in a counter clockwise motion," which resulted in the airplane landing on the right main landing gear (MLG). Subsequently, the right MLG collapsed, and the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut and the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported the weather at the time of the accident to be wind from 360° at 20 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The pilot landed on about a 360° heading.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, while landing uphill, on an unimproved gravel airstrip, the tailwheel-equipped airplane landed "smooth." He added that, while taxing to the crest of the hill, a gust of wind forced the airplane to become airborne. The airplane then drifted to the left and he attempted to correct with full right aileron and maximum power. The airplane continued to bank left until "the wind forced the tail in a counter clockwise motion", which resulted in the airplane landing on the right main landing gear. Subsequently, the right main landing gear collapsed; and the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut and the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported the weather at the time of the accident to be, wind from 360° at 20 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The pilot landed on about a 360° heading.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4088M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4088M), registered now, S/N 12-3003S, built 1947 (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: 12-3003S
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 4900.7
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 30, 2017
- Departed: OTZ, KOTZEBUE, AK
- Destination: Kotzebue, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 13, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 696.7 total, 282 in this make and model, 583.5 as pilot in command, 202 in the last 90 days, 103 in the last 30 days, 7.9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,900 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.37 inHg
- Observed at: PAIK, 22 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 20170906017649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170906017649A), Sep 6, 2017: Piper PA-12, Kotzebue, AK, Substantial damage. At approximately 11:30AM local time on September 6 2017, a Piper PA-12, N4088M landed on a hill approximately 70 miles north of Kotzebue in the brooks range…

## Other investigations on N4088M (1)

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.

- [NTSB ANC92LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA087), Jun 7, 1992: Piper PA-12 (N4088M), Klutina Lake, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILO'TS POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING. FACTORS INCLUDE DOWNDRAFTS, AND MOUNTAINOUS/ HILLY TERRAIN.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 13, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95981. 1.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 966 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457901&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 550 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457902&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%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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