# NTSB SEA07CA065: Piper PA-12, N2343M, Lewiston, ID, February 23, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 23, 2007, 12:05 local (20:05 UTC) - Place: Lewiston, ID - Coordinates: 46.374443, -117.015274 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3744&lon=-117.0153&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 65341 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65341/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA065 ## Probable cause the inadvertent use of the rudder by the passenger, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop. ## 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 - rudder - inadvertent use, passenger (cause) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis According to the pilot, at the aircraft owner's request, he was flying with the passenger to help him become current since the passenger had not flown any type of aircraft in the last 8 years. The pilot was making a no-flap 3-point full stall landing with the passenger following on the controls with him. During the landing roll, as the airplane slowed down, the pilot let some pressure off the rudder pedals to slide his toes up onto the brakes. As soon as the pressure was released from the rudder pedals, the airplane started to swerve "one way then the other." The pilot attempted to correct, but the airplane "spun a 180-degree turn to the left." The left wing tip and the right elevator struck the ground. The pilot reported that the passenger was wearing heavy boots and may have inadvertently "kicked hard right or left rudder and then became briefly entangled in the rudder pedals." ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, at the request of the aircraft's owner, he was flying with the passenger to help him become current as he had not flown any type of aircraft in the last 8 years. He was making a no-flap 3-point full stall landing with the passenger on the controls with him. During the landing roll, as the airplane slowed down, the pilot let some pressure off the rudder pedals to slide his toes up onto the brakes. As soon as the pressure was released from the rudder pedals, the airplane started to swerve "one way then the other." The pilot attempted to correct, but the airplane "spun a 180 degree turn to the left." The left wing tip and the right elevator struck the ground. The pilot reported that the passenger was wearing heavy boots and may have inadvertently "kicked hard right or left rudder and then became briefly entangled in the rudder pedals." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2343M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2343M-2021-02-10), registration cancelled 2021-02-10, S/N 12-1603 (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: 12-1603 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LWS, Lewiston, ID - Destination: LWS - Airport: LWS, Lewiston-Nez Perce County, runway 29, 5,002 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; flight hours: 11,538 total, 1,121 in this make and model, 75 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F ## 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 20070223002929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070223002929A), Feb 23, 2007: Piper PA12, Lewiston, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) At approximately 1148 hours on 02-23-2007, the pilot [privacy data omitted] lost control of a PA-12 N2343M, while landing at the Lewiston, ID (lws)… ## Other investigations on N2343M (2) 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 LAX07LA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA195), Jun 16, 2007: Piper PA-12 (N2343M), Imnaha, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. - [NTSB SEA83LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA001), Sep 30, 1982: Piper PA-12 (N2343M), Salmon, ID, 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.