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ANC11CA001

2010-10-01 · Chena Hot Springs, Alaska, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport AK13

Current FAA registration · N4166M

Make / Model
PIPER PA-12
Year of manufacture
1947 · 63 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
3 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20030307
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A4EDA0

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control and collision with trees.

Factual narrative

The private pilot reported he was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane on a gravel-covered runway in a left crosswind. He said that he used insufficient rudder on touchdown, and that shortly thereafter the airplane "curved" to the left. He stated he added power to correct the situation and abort the landing, but the airplane's right wing contacted trees and brush "well below flying speed" and pivoted to the right. The airplane continued to track right, exited the gravel runway, and came to rest at the base of an embankment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing assembly and empennage. The pilot noted that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane during the time frame of the accident. The airplane was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that he was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane on a gravel-covered runway in a left crosswind. He stated that during touchdown he used insufficient rudder and the airplane veered to the left. He added power to correct the situation and abort the landing, but the airplane's right wing contacted trees and it pivoted to the right. The airplane continued to track right, exited the gravel runway, and came to rest at the base of an embankment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing assembly and empennage. The pilot noted that there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Contributed to outcome
  • C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Response/compensation - C
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Contributed to outcome

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2010_ANC11CA001.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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