# NTSB WPR25LA056: Piper PA-12, N1706B, Marysvale, UT, December 5, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 5, 2024, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Marysvale, UT - Coordinates: 38.489643, -112.07132 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4896&lon=-112.0713&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 199397 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA056 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199397/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199397 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA056 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from snow covered terrain while maneuvering at low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he decided to perform a low pass over a frozen, snow-covered lake. During the low pass, the pilot attempted to “knick” the snow with the airplane’s main tires. Upon contacting the snow, the airplane immediately nosed over and came to rest inverted. As a result, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1706B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1706B), registered now, S/N 12-1562 (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: 12-1562 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 4475.64 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: RIF, Ridgefield, UT - Airport: RIF - Equipment: Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 27, 2024; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,038.2 total, 1,979.8 in this make and model, 1,975.4 as pilot in command, 35.5 in the last 90 days, 8.2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.42 inHg - Observed at: KFOM, 32 nm away - METAR: KFOM 051655Z AUTO 10SM CLR 02/M01 A3042 RMK AO1 ## 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 20241205021639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241205021639A), Dec 5, 2024: Piper PA-12, Marysvale, UT, Substantial damage. The aircraft took off from richfield airport and planned on performing an off-field landing at koosharem reservior roughly 16.5 miles south-east from the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 22, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199397. 8.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 7.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18111905&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Flattened_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18426934&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-%20W%20Wagstrom-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 4 photos, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18112610&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.