Piper PA-12 N3816M

Summary

On 16 September 2025 at about 22:00 local time, a Piper PA-12 registered N3816M was involved in an accident near Kotlik, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 September 2025 at 22:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Kotlik, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Ridge (NONE)

Coordinates

62.6324, -162.5109

Aircraft

Piper PA-12

Registration

N3816M

Category

Airplane

Year built

1947

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

St. Mary's → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC25LA109

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a go-around in variable wind conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while landing on a remote ridgetop in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the wind unexpectedly shifted. The pilot initiated a go-around; however, he lost control of the airplane. The airplane impacted terrain and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, lift struts, and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.