Piper PA-12 N2997M

Summary

On 4 April 2009 at about 22:00 local time, a Piper PA-12 registered N2997M, operated by Wiita Chris D, was involved in an accident near Skwentna, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 April 2009 at 22:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Skwentna, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

61.9653, -151.1914

Aircraft

Piper PA-12

Registration

N2997M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Wiita Chris D

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Anchorage → Skwentna

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC09CA028

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing/takeoff area with an unfavorable wind.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that before landing on the frozen snow-covered lake in a ski-equipped airplane, he intended to do a touch-and-go landing to check the snow conditions. He said that variable and gusty north-northwesterly winds required him to depart into an area of rising, tree-covered terrain. After landing to the northwest, he added full engine power and the airplane became airborne, but would not climb fast enough to outclimb the rising terrain. In the pilot's written statement to the NTSB, he stated that he: "Failed to fully recognize situation in time to abort departure..." The pilot indicated that the airplane collided with tree-covered terrain at the departure end of the lake. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.