# NTSB WPR12CA429: Piper PA-14, N5196H, Emmett, ID, September 17, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 16, 2012, 19:45 local (Sep 17, 2012, 01:45 UTC) - Place: Emmett, ID - Coordinates: 44.039722, -116.381111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0397&lon=-116.3811&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 85097 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA429 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85097/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85097 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA429 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-14, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=7101402), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-14, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=7101402), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-14, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7101402), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-14, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7101402), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-14, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101402), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to show his passengers the local area. They departed from the airport and proceeded north. Shortly after sunset, the pilot reversed course to return to the airport. During the return flight, he realized that he had turned into the incorrect canyon and was unable to outclimb the rising terrain; subsequently, the pilot initiated a precautionary landing onto a hillside. During the landing, the right wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to show his passengers the local area. They departed from the airport and proceeded north. Shortly after sunset, the pilot reversed course to return to the airport. During the return flight, he realized that he had turned into the incorrect canyon and was unable to out climb the rising terrain; subsequently, the pilot initiated a precautionary landing onto a hillside. During the landing, the right wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5196H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5196H-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 14-493, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-14 - Registry model: [Piper PA-14](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-14) (registry code 7101402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 14-493 - Airframe hours: 3782 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290 SERIES 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Taylor Donald L - Registered owner: Taylor Donald L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2012, 171 hours before - Departed: S78, Emmett, ID - Destination: S78, Emmett, ID - Airport: S78, Emmett Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 24, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 35,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: EUL, 30 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 20120916020089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120916020089A), Sep 16, 2012: Piper PA-14, Emmett, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot and two passengers were sightseeing when the pilot inadvertently steered into the wrong canyon. The pilot could not ascend to escape terrain and set up… ## Other investigations on N5196H (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 OAK65F0035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK65F0035), Apr 24, 1965: Piper PA-14 (N5196H), Turlock, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85097. 763 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 735 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378785&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379735&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.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.