N2945M

Substantial
None

Piper PA-12S/N: 12-1344

Accident Details

Date
Monday, May 29, 2006
NTSB Number
ANC06CA065
Location
Wasilla, AK
Event ID
20060621X00789
Coordinates
61.777500, -149.399169
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inadequate compensation for a tailwind during the landing flare, which resulted in an in-flight collision with snow-covered terrain during an aborted landing. Factors contributing to the accident were a tailwind and rising terrain.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
12-1344
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1946
Model / ICAO
PA-12PA12
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
3
FAA Model
PA-12

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
GILLILAND JOHN R
Address
PO BOX 62
City
CANTWELL
State / Zip Code
AK 99729-0062
Country
United States

Analysis

The commercial certificated pilot was landing at a remote site on a CFR Part 91 personal flight. His intended landing area was about 600 feet long and 70 feet wide, and consisted of slightly rising grass-covered terrain. Areas of snow were along the left side of the landing area. The pilot said the wind conditions were calm during the approach, but as he flared for the touch down, a quartering tailwind resulted in a slight bounce. He added full engine power to abort the landing, but the airplane settled to the ground once again, collided with an area of snow along the left side, and nosed over. The airplane received structural damage to the left wing, both wing lift struts, and the rudder.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC06CA065