# NTSB GAA18CA535: Piper PA 12, N7690H, Talkeetna, AK, September 5, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 4, 2018, 16:00 local (Sep 5, 2018, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.452777, -148.68695 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4528&lon=-148.6869&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 March 18, 2019
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 98246
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA535
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98246/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98246
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA535

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain pitch control on uneven terrain during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over.

## 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: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md)
- [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing uphill at an off-airport unimproved landing site where he had landed before, he applied the brakes, and that the airplane then hit a "bush or a bump," which caused the tail to rise. Subsequently, the propeller struck the ground, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage, fuselage, and wing spars. 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 landing uphill, at an off airport unimproved landing site where he had landed before, he applied the brakes, the airplane hit a "bush or a bump" which caused the tail to raise, the propeller struck the ground and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage, fuselage and wing spars. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7690H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7690H), registered now, S/N 12-580, 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: 12-580
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 3715
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 2018
- Departed: TKA, Talkeetna, AK
- Destination: Talkeetna, AK
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 12, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 242.8 total, 224.3 in this make and model, 192.8 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days, 28.2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observed at: PATK, 40 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 20180904013109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180904013109A), Sep 4, 2018: Piper PA-12, Talkeetna, AK, Destroyed. During landing roll out on a off airfield, gravel strip the pilot (sole occupant) lost control when attempting to counter the effects from an uneven landing…

## Other investigations on N7690H (3)

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 ANC11CA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA033), May 17, 2011: Piper PA-12 (N7690H), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, resulting in a departure with the fuel selector in the "off" position, a subsequent loss of engine power, and an off-airport emergency landing.
- [NTSB ANC94LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA069), Jun 13, 1994: Piper PA-12 (N7690H), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE USE OF THE WHEEL BRAKES.
- [NTSB ANC81DAG47](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG47), Jun 30, 1981: Piper PA-12 (N7690H), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 13, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98246. 851 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 851 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469445&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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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