# NTSB GAA17CA544: Piper PA 11, N4741M, Petersville, AK, September 14, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 13, 2017, 17:30 local (Sep 14, 2017, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Petersville, AK - Coordinates: 62.380554, -151.908615 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.3806&lon=-151.9086&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 27, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96053 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA544 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96053/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96053 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA544 ## Probable cause The pilot’s overapplication of brakes, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=7101102), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [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-11, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7101102), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/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-11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=7101102), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-11, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101102), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-11, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101102), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while performing a wheel landing on an unimproved gravel airstrip, a wind gust lifted the "weight off of [the] tires and initiated a skid." He added that, as the airplane settled back on the airstrip, the tail rose rapidly due to the brakes being applied, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing lift strut and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while performing a wheel landing on an unimproved gravel airstrip, a gust of wind lifted the "weight off of [the] tires and initiated a skid." He added that, as the airplane settled back on the airstrip the tail rose rapidly due to the brakes being applied, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing lift strut and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4741M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4741M), registered now, S/N 11-254, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 11 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Piper PA-11](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-11) (registry code 7101102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11-254 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 1377.4 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 2017 - Departed: Petersville, AK - Destination: Petersville, AK - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 15, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 149.3 total, 74 in this make and model, 95.6 as pilot in command, 27.5 in the last 90 days, 20.6 in the last 30 days, 1.1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: PATK, 51 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96053. 3.9 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=40457816&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 307 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457819&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.