SEA93FA151

History of flight

On July 8, 1993, at 0700 mountain daylight time, the pilot of a Piper PA-12, N3108M, lost control of the airplane while maneuvering at low level and collided with the terrain approximately 10 miles north of Laramie, Wyoming. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the certificated private pilot was fatally injured. The pilot-rated passenger was seriously injured.

The passenger reported during an interview and subsequent written statement, that the flight had departed from a private airstrip at approximately 0630 hours. The flight then proceeded to another airstrip and did a touch-and-go. The passenger then reported that they (he and the pilot) did some local sightseeing around the area and then decided to head for the Laramie Airport to do another touch-and-go. En route, the passenger stated that he heard the pilot say that he saw a coyote and the pilot started a descent. As soon as the flight was over the coyote, at about 300 feet above ground level, the passenger stated that "he (the pilot) pulled the airplane into a wing over." During this wing over, the passenger felt the stall buffet. After this point, the passenger does not recall any further events until he woke up on the ground.

The passenger stated during the interview that he was not aware of any mechanical failures or malfunctions, and that he had cautioned the pilot about the low altitude.

Personnel information

The pilot held a private pilot certificate for single engine operations that was issued on August 31, 1990. The pilot's flight logbook was not made available for review, however, the pilot's last flight medical dated June 1, 1993, indicated that he had accumulated a total flight time of 236 hours.

The passenger holds a private pilot certificate for single engine operations and reported a total flight time of 202 hours. The passenger stated that he does not have any flying time in the Piper PA-12.

Aircraft information

The owner/mechanic of the airplane reported that the last annual inspection performed on the airplane was completed on April 1, 1993. The aircraft logbooks indicated that the last Annual inspection was performed on July 15, 1991. The owner stated that he had not entered the annual inspection into the logbooks.

Wreckage and impact information

The wreckage was located in an area of flat to rolling terrain. The ground was hard and covered with short grass. The airplane was positioned upright with the nose of the airplane positioned on a magnetic bearing of 25 degrees. The main landing gear had collapsed and the airplane was setting on its belly.

Both wings had collapsed downward and the wing tips were resting on the ground. Both wings remained attached to the fuselage by the control cables. The left wing tip displayed an approximate 30 degree rearward crush. The left aileron remained attached to its hinges and control continuity from the aileron to the cockpit was established. The right wing displayed minor leading edge damage. The outboard hinge to the right aileron had pulled away and the aileron itself was bent. Control continuity was established from the right aileron to the cockpit.

The vertical stabilizer with rudder attached, and the horizontal stabilizer with the elevators attached were in place and minor damage was noted. Control continuity was established from the tail to the cockpit.

The engine remained attached to the firewall. The entire engine, firewall and cockpit instrument panel were bent to the right. The propeller remained attached to the crankshaft. Both blades were bent rearward with one of the blades bent in a slight S turn.

Two ground scars were found in the immediate area of the wreckage. One scar found 40 feet east of the wreckage measured 34 inches in length and shallow in depth. The other ground disturbance was found approximately 29 feet away and lead up to the wreckage from the east. The disturbance was one foot deep at the furthest point from the wreckage and progressed to a shallow disturbance as it lead closer to the wreckage.

Medical and pathological information

An autopsy was performed by Albany County Forensic Pathology Consultants, Loveland, Colorado.

Toxicological samples were not taken.

Additional information

The wreckage was released to the owner's representative on July 9, 1993. The wreckage was moved to Laramie, Wyoming.