# NTSB GAA19CA178: Piper PA 12, N2733M, Mecosta, MI, March 23, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 23, 2019, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Mecosta, MI - Coordinates: 43.576946, -85.283889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5769&lon=-85.2839&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99167 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA178 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99167/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99167 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA178 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in impact with a windsock pole. ## 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: 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) - [Object/animal/substance: wind sock](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022030/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: 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-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: 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) ## Analysis The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he landed the airplane on the turf runway in variable wind conditions. During the landing roll, the airplane veered right and exited the right side of the runway. The airplane struck a runway cone and a windsock pole. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The weather reporting station at the nearest airport, about 24 miles from the accident site, reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 340° at 7 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 36. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he had landed on the turf runway in variable wind conditions. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right and exited the right side of the runway. The airplane struck a lighted runway cone and a windsock pole. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The weather reporting station at the nearest airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 340° at 7 knots. The pilot landed on runway 36. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2733M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2733M-2021-01-08), registration cancelled 2021-01-08, S/N 12-1140, 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: 12-1140 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 3959.3 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Other - Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 2018 - Departed: 0C5, Mecosta, MI - Destination: 0C5, Mecosta, MI - Airport: 0C5, Canadian Lakes, runway 36, 3,800 × 100 ft - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 15, 2018; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 490 total, 52 in this make and model, 490 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 29.39 inHg - Observed at: KMOP, 24 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 20190323001849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190323001849A), Mar 23, 2019: Piper PA-12, Mecosta, MI, Substantial damage. On March 23, 2019 at 1030 eastern, a Piper PA-12 aircraft, N2733M, registered to and operated by a private pilot, received substantial damage when it impacted… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 2, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99167. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473868&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 210 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473869&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.