# NTSB SEA01LA134: Piper PA-12, N918TF, Oregon City, OR, July 17, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 16, 2001, 17:55 local (Jul 17, 2001, 00:55 UTC) - Place: Oregon City, OR - Coordinates: 45.339412, -122.659545 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3394&lon=-122.6595&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52737 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01LA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52737/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA134 ## Probable cause The front seat (pilot-in-command's) inadequate visual lookout during step taxi resulting in the aircraft's collision with a partially submerged log. A contributing factor was the log and it's lack of any conspicuous marking. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff - object - submerged object (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The non-floatplane rated private pilot-in-command (front seat), accompanied by an ATP rated flight instructor (rear seat), was step taxiing in preparation for takeoff on the Willamette River. During the step taxi the aircraft's right float impacted an unmarked, submerged log protruding about 15 inches above the water's surface. The right float was breached and the aircraft gradually nosed over and sank. ## Factual narrative On July 16, 2001, approximately 1755 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-12 floatplane, N918TF, registered to an individual, and being flown by a private non-floatplane rated pilot accompanied by a floatplane rated airline transport rated flight instructor, sustained substantial damage when the aircraft impacted a log during step taxi in daylight conditions on the Willamette River, Oregon City, Oregon. Both pilots exited the aircraft as it sank, and were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was instructional, was operated under 14CFR91, and originated locally on the late afternoon of the accident. The airline transport rated pilot, a certified flight instructor, reported that the pilot under instruction (seated forward) had just landed on the Willamette River, reversed direction and was step taxiing to takeoff when the aircraft's right float impacted a tree stump protruding approximately 15 inches above the surface of the water. He stated that he felt the impact and the aircraft's right float became airborne while the left wing dipped. The left wing then impacted the water and the aircraft came to a stop upright in the water. The right float, which had been breached, began to fill with water and the aircraft gradually nosed over while sinking. The engine was shut down and both pilots evacuated before the aircraft became inverted (refer to attached statements of both pilots). Clackamas County Sheriff's personnel reported locating a deadhead (submerged log) in the river measuring 1.5 to 2 feet in diameter and oriented with the end of the log protruding from the surface of the river and downstream. Additionally, white paint transfer and a small piece of embedded aluminum were noted at the log's end (refer to attached Sheriff's report). The log had no marking or identifying buoy. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N918TF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N918TF), registered now, S/N 12-2232, built 1947 (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 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-2232 - Airframe hours: 2113 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Nicolai, William S. - Registered owner: Jane G. Nicolai - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 2000, 172 hours before - Departed: 3S1, Lake Oswego, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 21, 2000; seat: front; flight hours: 4,381 total, 13 in this make and model, 4,092 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 43; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 4, 2000; seat: rear; flight hours: 11,161 total, 32 in this make and model, 6,947 as pilot in command, 255 in the last 90 days, 79 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: PDX, 15 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 20010716016519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010716016519A), Jul 16, 2001: Piper PA12, Oregon City, OR, No damage. (.19) On July 16, 2001, approximately 1720 pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-12 floatplane, N918TF, registered to an individual, and being flown by a private… ## Other investigations on N918TF (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 WPR15CA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15CA095), Jan 29, 2015: Piper PA 12 (N918TF), Ridgefield, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delayed action to use carburetor heat before the engine experienced a total loss of power while operating at cruise flight in conditions conducive to carburetor icing. 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.