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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 7, 1995 · Piper PA-12 · N3680M

Soldotna, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 7, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Soldotna, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-12
Tail Number
N3680M
Operator
Alaska Flying Network
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC95LA047

THE PRIVATE PILOT, WHO WAS RECEIVING DUAL INSTRUCTION FOR THE PURPOSE OF TAIL WHEEL FAMILIARIZATION, LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE DOING A TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WAS NOT ABLE TO REGAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING IMPACTED THE RUNWAY DURING THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S REMEDIAL ACTION. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH BRAKES IN THE AFT SEAT, AND HE BELIEVED HE WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BECAUSE HE WAS UNABLE TO APPLY DIFFERENTIAL BRAKING.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS INCLUDE THE DUAL STUDENT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND THE REAR PILOT'S STATION NOT HAVING BRAKES INSTALLED.

Full Narrative

On April 6, 1995, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N3680M, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Soldotna Airport, Soldotna, Alaska. The certificated flight instructor and private pilot aboard were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight instructor reported he was giving instruction to the private pilot in tail wheel familiarization. During the first of a planned series of touch-and-go landings on runway 07 at the Soldotna Airport, the airplane bounced, and then veered to the left after touching down again. The flight instructor said right rudder was applied to correct the condition, and the airplane then headed off the left side of the runway toward a 6-8 foot high snow bank. The instructor stated that power was applied to get the airplane to turn right. The airplane turned right, tipping up on the left wheel and wing tip. Power was reduced to idle and the airplane stopped in the middle of the runway. During the hard right turn, the left main wheel hub failed. The airplane was equipped with 29" racing slick "Tundra Tires." The flight instructor noted that the airplane was not equipped with brakes where he was seated (rear tandem seat), and that he felt he was unable to maintain directional control of the airplane because he was unable to apply differential braking.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 AKDT
Nearest AirportSOLDOTNA (0nm)
Runway7
Runway Length4973 ft
Runway Width130 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-12
Tail NumberN3680M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAlaska Flying Network
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360°
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data