# NTSB WPR26LA142: Piper PA-12, N3484M, Spanaway, WA, March 28, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 28, 2026, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Spanaway, WA · Shady Acres Airport
- Coordinates: 47.070389, -122.37108
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0704&lon=-122.3711&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: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 1, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA SEA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202716
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202716/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202716
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA142

## Probable cause

The pilot’s excessive application of brakes, which resulted in the airplane tipping forward onto its nose.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/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: 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 of the tailwheel airplane reported that she was on a stable approach to a narrow runway. She performed a wheel landing and applied braking to slow the airplane before lowering the tailwheel. During the landing roll she observed trees and a drop-off in elevation at end of the runway. The pilot became concerned that there was insufficient remaining stopping distance, and applied additional braking force. The airplane tipped forward and slid to a stop on its nose. Subsequently, the left wing struck the ground and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3484M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3484M), registered now, S/N 12-2080, 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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-2080
- Year built: 1947
- Airframe hours: 4255
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Niner One Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 2026, 5 hours before
- Departed: KPLU, Puyallup, WA
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: 3B8, Shady Acres, runway 16/34, 1,800 × 20 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review June 19, 2025; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 509 total, 460 in this make and model, 408 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: KPLU, 4 nm away
- METAR: METAR KPLU 281035Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 04/03 A3011 RMK AO2

## 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 20260328006929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260328006929A), Mar 28, 2026: Piper PA-12, Spanaway, WA, Substantial damage. At 15:53 I announced right downwind for 34 and reduced my power and slowed my speed to 60MPH, adjusting to 2 notches of flaps and trim to maintain 1500 ft MSL…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202716. 2.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20152537&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N3484M%20AAA_6120_1_Form_Signed_Flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's written statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20226340&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=03%2028%202026-3B8-N3484M%20Prop%20Strike_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 461 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20225247&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA142%20Photos-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.

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