Piper PA-12 N4166M

Summary

On 2 October 2010 at about 01:30 local time, a Piper PA-12 registered N4166M, operated by Woolace James L, was involved in an accident near Chena Hot Springs, Alaska, United States. 2 people were 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

2 October 2010 at 01:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Chena Hot Springs, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Chena Hot Springs (AK13)

Coordinates

65.0517, -146.0347

Aircraft

Piper PA-12

Registration

N4166M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Woolace James L

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

North Pole → Chena Hot Springs

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC11CA001

Nobody was injured.

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

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.