# NTSB NYC97LA169: Piper PA-12, N7682H, Spencerport, NY, August 23, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 23, 1997, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Spencerport, NY - Coordinates: 43.179523, -77.800575 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1795&lon=-77.8006&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39424 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39424/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA169 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane, while landing. The crosswind was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot made a three point landing on a turf runway, heading south. The wind was from the west at 7 knots. After touchdown, the airplane drifted left. The pilot was unable to correct the left drift and added power for a rejected landing. The airplane drifted off the runway into rough terrain. The pilot closed the throttle and the airplane came to rest off the left side of the runway with the right main landing gear collapsed under the fuselage. ## Factual narrative On August 23, 1997, about 1400 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N7682H, was substantially damaged while landing at a private airstrip near Spencerport, New York. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight which had departed from Williamson, New York, at 1340. No flight plan was filed for the flight which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot reported that he landed to the south, on the turf runway, in a three point attitude. After touchdown, the airplane started to drift left and power was applied for a go-around. The airplane continued to drift left into rough terrain, at which point the power was reduced to idle. The right main landing gear collapsed under the fuselage. The right wing touched the ground, and the outboard 2 1/2 feet of the right wing was bent up. The pilot reported the winds were from the west at 7 knots. In a letter dated September 12, 1997, the pilot reported he believed that the airplane experienced a mechanical malfunction. The letter was forwarded to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Rochester, New York, Flight Standards District Office. In a reply dated October 30, 1997, an FAA inspector stated, "...The damage to the landing gear resulted from the aircraft accident on August 23, 1997...." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7682H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7682H), registered now, S/N 12-571, 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: 12-571 - Airframe hours: 2308 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Norman J. Hasman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 1997, 13 hours before - Departed: 3G7, WILLIAMSON, NY - Destination: NONE - Airport: NONE, Spencerport, runway 18, 1,800 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,729 total, 89 in this make and model, 1,567 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ROC, 7 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 19970823023509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970823023509A), Aug 23, 1997: Piper PA12, Spencerport, NY, Substantial damage. Encountered a very strong gust of wind on landing, lost control of aircraft, flipped over on right side of runway. ## Other investigations on N7682H (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 NYC72DFJ29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72DFJ29), Jan 22, 1972: Piper PA-12 (N7682H), Batavia, NY, 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. --- 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.