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NTSB Report

September 3, 2002 · Piper PA-12 · N3233M

Chickaloon, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 3, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Chickaloon, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-12
Tail Number
N3233M
Operator
Grasshopper Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC02LA113

The commercial certificated pilot was landing the tundra tire-equipped airplane on a remote airstrip to pick up a hunter. The gravel surface airstrip, oriented north/south, is about 900 feet long and 10 feet wide. The pilot said he was landing toward the north. During the landing roll, the pilot reported that the tail came up too high, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the propeller, cowling, right wing, the right wing lift strut, and the top of the rudder.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll, which precipitated a nose over.

Full Narrative

On September 2, 2002, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N3233M, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during landing at a remote airstrip, about 20 miles north of Chickaloon, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country positioning flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Grasshopper Aviation, Wasilla, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Wasilla Airport, about 1615. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 3, the pilot reported he was landing on an airstrip known as 30 mile strip to pick up a hunter. The gravel surface airstrip, oriented north/south, is about 900 feet long and 10 feet wide. The pilot said he was landing toward the north. During the landing roll, the pilot reported that the tail came up too high, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the propeller, cowling, right wing, the right wing lift strut, and the top of the rudder.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 AKDT
Nearest AirportChickaloon Airstrip (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length900 ft
Runway Width10 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-12
Tail NumberN3233M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGrasshopper Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 39 C
Altimeter29.89 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data