Piper PA-12 N3484M

Summary

On 28 March 2026 at about 22:30 local time, a Piper PA-12 registered N3484M was involved in an accident near Spanaway, Washington, 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

28 March 2026 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Spanaway, Washington, United States

Nearest airport

Shady Acres (3B8)

Coordinates

47.0704, -122.3711

Aircraft

Piper PA-12

Registration

N3484M

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

Puyallup → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR26LA142

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s excessive application of brakes, which resulted in the airplane tipping forward onto its nose.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel airplane reported that she was on a stable approach to a narrow runway. She performed a wheel landing and applied braking to slow the airplane before lowering the tailwheel. During the landing roll she observed trees and a drop-off in elevation at end of the runway. The pilot became concerned that there was insufficient remaining stopping distance, and applied additional braking force. The airplane tipped forward and slid to a stop on its nose. Subsequently, the left wing struck the ground and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.