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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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September 16, 2009 · Piper PA-12 · N2594M

Lime Village, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 16, 2009
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Lime Village, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-12
Tail Number
N2594M
Operator
Magnuson Airways
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC09LA102

The commercial pilot and one passenger were taking off from a gravel-covered, remote off-airport site in a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 charter flight when the accident occurred. The pilot related that as the airplane accelerated, it began to turn sharply to the right, and towards a stand of trees. The airplane’s right wing struck the stand of trees, which pivoted it to the right where it nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. A postaccident inspection revealed that the passenger, seated in the rear of the airplane, inadvertently stepped on the right, rear-mounted dual brake pedal, as the pilot began his takeoff run. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and that the accident could have been prevented if he had removed or covered the rear-mounted dual brake pedals.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On September 15, 2009, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-12 airplane, N2594M, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees during takeoff from a gravel-covered, remote off-airport site, about 35 miles northeast of Lime Village, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand charter flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was owned and operated by Magnuson Airways, LLC, McGrath, Alaska. The commercial pilot and sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The accident flight was shuttling a group of hunters and gear to another off-airport site. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on September 17, the pilot related that before departing from the 900 feet long gravel-covered site, he assessed the wind conditions before departing to the southwest. He determined that a slight westerly wind, ranging between 5 and 10 knots, would require a slight correction for a quartering right crosswind during his takeoff run. The pilot reported that during the takeoff run, as the airplane accelerated, it began to turn sharply to the right, and towards a stand of trees. The airplane’s right wing struck the stand of trees, which pivoted it to the right. The airplane subsequently nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot noted that a postaccident inspection revealed that his passenger, seated in the rear of the airplane, inadvertently stepped on the right, rear-mounted dual brake pedal, as the pilot began his takeoff run. In the pilot’s written statement to the NTSB he indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. Additionally, he recommended either removing or covering the rear-mounted dual brake pedals.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway24
Runway Length900 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-12
Tail NumberN2594M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMagnuson Airways
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data