# NTSB WPR10CA380: Piper PA-12, N3098M, White Sulphur Springs, MT, August 2, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 2, 2010, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: White Sulphur Springs, MT - Coordinates: 46.502223, -110.907775 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5022&lon=-110.9078&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 76821 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA380 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76821/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76821 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA380 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control while attempting to avoid a herd of antelope crossing the runway during the landing rollout. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after a local area flight in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the approach and landing was uneventful. As the airplane touched down, a herd of antelope entered the left side of the runway and crossed in front of the airplane. The pilot attempted to swerve to the right to avoid the animals and the airplane ground-looped, substantially damaging the airplane’s left wing. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after a local area flight in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the approach and landing was uneventful. As the airplane touched down, a herd of antelope entered the left side of the runway and crossed in front of the airplane. The pilot attempted to swerve to the right to avoid the animals and the airplane ground-looped, substantially damaging the airplane’s left wing. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3098M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3098M), registered now, S/N 12-1784, 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: 12-1784 - Airframe hours: 1750 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Roatch Edward J - Registered owner: Roatch Edward J - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 2003, 62 hours before - Departed: 7S6, White Sulphur Springs, MT - Destination: 7S6, White Sulphur Springs, MT - Airport: 7S6, White Sulphur Springs Airport, runway 31, 3,200 × 90 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 12, 1998; seat: front; flight hours: 1,084 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,060 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KHLN, 52 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 20100802039419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100802039419A), Aug 2, 2010: Piper PA-12, White Sulphur S, MT, Substantial damage. Pilot was flying in general area of airport and was practicing touch and go's landing on the grass strip on runway 31 for the first part of the morning. Pilot… ## Other investigations on N3098M (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 ERA22LA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA080), Nov 30, 2021: Piper PA-12 (N3098M), Labelle, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper fuel system modification, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 16, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76821. 623 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 623 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335502&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.