Piper PA-12 N3031M

Summary

On 31 August 2012 at about 15:20 local time, a Piper PA-12 registered N3031M, operated by Three Bushwhackers Inc, was involved in an accident near Rye, Colorado, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 August 2012 at 15:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Rye, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

37.9647, -105.0922

Aircraft

Piper PA-12

Registration

N3031M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Three Bushwhackers Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pueblo → Pueblo

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12FA594

2 people died.

The pilot’s selection of a flightpath toward rising terrain that exceeded the climb capability of the airplane.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While maneuvering in mountainous terrain at high density altitude conditions, the pilot impacted a ridge area. An evaluation of the terrain near the accident site and the performance capabilities of the airplane indicated that the pilot selected a route of flight toward rising terrain that the airplane could not climb sufficiently quickly to avoid. Examination of the airframe, engine, and propeller did not reveal any preimpact failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.