# NTSB WPR11CA007: Piper PA-12, N2971M, Valley, WA, October 9, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 9, 2010, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Valley, WA - Coordinates: 48.133335, -117.75 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1333&lon=-117.7500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Spokane FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77530 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA007 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77530/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77530 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA007 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive brake application during the landing roll after overshooting the intended touchdown point, resulting in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: landing gear brakes system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he elected to land in a recently mowed field at his parent's farm. He overflew some nearby ponds to verify wind conditions, which appeared to be calm. He then decided to land to the north since the field sloped uphill in that direction. During the landing sequence, the pilot stated that he touched down long and then applied the brakes with such force that the airplane nosed over onto its back, substantially damaging both the fuselage and the left wing. After exiting the airplane, the pilot noted that there was an intermittent wind blowing from the south. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he elected to land in a recently mowed 1,200 foot long field at his parent's farm. He stated that he overflew some nearby ponds to check for wind, of which there appeared to be none. He then decided to land to the north since the field sloped uphill in that direction. During the landing sequence, the pilot stated that he touched down long, and then applied the brakes with such force that the airplane nosed over onto its back, substantially damaging both the fuselage and the left wing. After exiting the airplane, the pilot noted that there was an intermittent wind blowing from the south. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2971M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2971M), registered now, S/N 121363, built 1946 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 121363 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Thane Weythman - Registered owner: Kinkade Robert L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 07S, Oroville, WA - Destination: Valley, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 2,200 total, 100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °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 20101009047259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101009047259A), Oct 9, 2010: Piper PA-12, Valley, WA, Substantial damage. Airman attempted landing in private property field and subsequent to touchdown, applied brakes too quickly. As the aircraft began to roll to a stop it nosed… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77530. 330 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 330 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338142&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.