Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND LOOP/SWERVE.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On July 16, 1995, at 2200 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N2941M, registered to and operated by the pilot, ground looped after an aborted landing at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Merrill Field for a local flight. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged.
According to the pilot, he was landing the airplane in a light crosswind and the touchdown was firm. The airplane started to ground loop and he attempted to abort the landing by initiating a go around. The airplane continued to ground loop and the right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing struck the ground.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC95LA106