# NTSB SEA07CA027: Piper PA-12, N3222M, Antelope Island, UT, December 9, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 9, 2006, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Antelope Island, UT - Coordinates: 40.940555, -112.206947 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9406&lon=-112.2069&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 64985 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64985/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA027 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive braking during a precautionary landing at an off-airport landing area. A contributing factor was the pilot's non-standard modification of the oil cooler, which resulted in high engine oil temperature. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, cruise - lubricating system,oil cooler - blocked(partial) (contributing factor) - maintenance,modification - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis During a post-accident telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that prior to the accident flight, she placed tape on the intake side of the oil cooler in an effort to keep the oil "from running so cool." Approximately 15 minutes after takeoff, the pilot noted the oil temperature was "over the red line" and elected to make a precautionary off-airport landing. During the landing roll she applied the brakes excessively and the airplane nosed-over, resulting in substantial damage. Another pilot saw the accident, and was able to land without mishap and assist the accident pilot. ## Factual narrative On December 9, 2006, about 1000 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-12 (Super Cruiser), N3222M, sustained substantial damage during landing at an off-airport landing site on Antelope Island, Utah. The airplane is owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal/pleasure flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight. The flight originated from Salt Lake City, Utah, approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident. During a post accident telephone conversation (and subsequent written report) with the National Transportation Safety Board, IIC, the pilot stated that prior to the accident flight, tape was placed on the intake side of the oil cooler in an effort to keep the oil "from running so cool." Approximately 15 minutes after takeoff the pilot noted the oil temperature was "over the red line" and elected to make a precautionary landing on Antelope Island. During the landing rollout on the island, the pilot applied brakes and the aircraft nosed-over onto its back resulting in substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3222M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3222M), registered now, S/N 12-1887, 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 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-1887 - Airframe hours: 4068 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 B reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Wendy S. Lessig - Registered owner: Wendy S. Lessig - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2006 - Departed: U42, SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Destination: OGD, OGDEN, UT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; seat: front; flight hours: 1,541 total, 340 in this make and model, 72 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20061209025369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061209025369A), Dec 9, 2006: Piper PA12, Syracuse, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) Due to cold environmental temperatures, the pilot placed duct tape over the cooling air entry of the engine oil cooler. In cruise/climb, the pilot… ## Other investigations on N3222M (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 NYC72FLJ14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72FLJ14), Nov 7, 1971: Piper PA-12 (N3222M), Beaufort, NC, 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.