# NTSB NYC76FNE20: Piper PA-12, N4054M, Pittsfield, MA, May 23, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 23, 1976
- Place: Pittsfield, MA · PITTSFIELD, MA
- Location: 42.4501° N, 73.2454° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pittsfield, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4501&lon=-73.2454&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 7, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 154901
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC76FNE20
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76FNE20

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1972  76/5/23    PITTSFIELD,MA       PIPER PA-12         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 44, 887
        TIME - 1500                    N4054M              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 123 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PITTSFIELD MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PITTSFIELD,MA               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           TURBULENCE                                               TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS
           WEATHER - TURBULENCE IN FLIGHT,CLEAR AIR
        WEATHER BRIEFING - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     HEAD WIND 338-022 DEGREES
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          300                                                       15
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- WIND GUSTING 30K.POSSIBLE VORTEX LIFTED ACFT PREMATURELY.VENTURI SHAPED AREA ON RWY 26-8.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4054M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4054M-1976-08-30), registration cancelled 1976-08-30, S/N 12-2939 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Pittsfield Muni

## 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 19760523012399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760523012399A), May 23, 1976: Piper PA12, Pittsfield, MA, Substantial damage. Wind gusting 30K.possible vortex lifted acft prematurely. Venturi shaped area on rwy 26-8.

## Other investigations on N4054M (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 UNK64X0478](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0478), Feb 6, 1964: Piper PA-12 (N4054M), Bolivar, PA, substantial damage

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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