# NTSB SEA94LA002: Piper PA-12, N7709H, Orting, WA, October 3, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1993, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Orting, WA
- Coordinates: 47.040027, -122.140197 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0400&lon=-122.1402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41829
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41829/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA002

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT WING TO STRIKE THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT THEN IMPACTED THE GROUND AND SLID BACKWARDS INTO BRUSH ALONG THE RUNWAY'S EAST EDGE. THE PILOT REPORTED CALM WINDS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Factual narrative

On October 3, 1993, at approximately 1245 hours Pacific daylight time (PDT), a Piper PA-12, N7709H, registered to and being flown by Herman M. Nirschl, a certificated commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when the aircraft's left wingtip struck the ground during takeoff at the Pierce County Airport, Orting, Washington. The pilot and his passenger were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. The flight, which was personal in nature, was to have been operated in accordance with the requirements set forth in 14CFR91.

The pilot reported that during takeoff the left wing began to drop followed by a left drift off the runway which he was unable to counteract. The aircraft's left wingtip struck the ground and the aircraft spun around 180 degrees proceeding into brush while travelling backwards. The pilot reported no powerplant or control malfunction at the time of the accident. He also reported that the winds were calm at the time.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7709H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7709H), registered now, S/N 12-601 (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: 12-601
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nirschl, Herman, M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1993, 1 hours before
- Departed: 1S0
- Destination: 1S0
- Airport: 1S0, Pierce County-Thun Field, runway 16, 3,650 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,695 total, 41 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TCM, 8 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 19931003037439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931003037439A), Oct 3, 1993: Piper PA12, Puyallup, WA, Substantial damage. Reported left wing dropped to runway on takeoff. Aircraft spun off runway into brush backwards. Cause unknown.

## Other investigations on N7709H (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 WPR18LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA118), Apr 4, 2018: Piper PA 12 (N7709H), Bozeman, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot and flight instructor's failure to see and avoid the stationary airplane during taxi, which resulted in a ground collision.

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.

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