# NTSB LAX03LA049: Piper PA-12, N87800, Fallon, NV, December 13, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 12, 2002, 16:30 local (Dec 13, 2002, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Fallon, NV - Coordinates: 39.5, -118.75 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5000&lon=-118.7500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56208 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56208/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA049 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a low altitude maneuver. Contributing factors were the inadequate passenger briefing regarding the flight controls and the passenger's inadvertent use of the rudder. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - passenger briefing - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command - rudder - inadvertent use, pilot passenger (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot was demonstrating the airplane for a prospective buyer. The pilot was simulating an approach to land with the prospective buyer following through on the flight controls. During a turn to simulated final approach, the prospective buyer inadvertently applied left rudder. The pilot corrected with right aileron, which resulted in the airplane slipping and then impacting the ground. The pilot recommended better instruction to passengers to prevent future accidents. Post accident flight control continuity was established. ## Factual narrative On December 12, 2002, about 1630 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-12, N87800, collided with terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering near Fallon, Nevada. The owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 for the local area flight. The pilot was demonstrating the borrowed airplane for a prospective buyer. The pilot and passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight that departed Fallon Municipal Airport about 1600. In a written statement submitted by the pilot, he stated that the prospective buyer requested the pilot fly for the demonstration. The flight departed Fallon Municipal with the pilot in the front seat and the prospective buyer in the rear seat. The pilot was demonstrating an approach to land with the prospective buyer following on the controls. During a turn to a simulated "final," the prospective buyer inadvertently applied left rudder. The pilot applied right aileron to correct; however, the airplane entered a slip and then impacted the ground. The pilot recommended better instruction to passengers to prevent future accidents. The pilot also reported having about 100 hours flight time in the make and model of the accident airplane with about 2,900 hours total time. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector completed a post accident examination. Continuity was established for all flight controls. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N87800](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N87800), registered now, S/N 12-2, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-12 - 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: 12-2 - Airframe hours: 2329 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Albert Lattin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 2002, 73 hours before - Departed: FLX, FALLON, NV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 27, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 2,900 total, 100 in this make and model, 2,880 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: RNO, 47 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 20021212033719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021212033719A), Dec 12, 2002: Piper PA12, Fallon, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) On 12/12/02, at 1630 hours, Piper PA-12, N87800, collided with level terrain while maneuvering nine miles north of Fallon, Nevada. The airplane was… 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.