N4166M – PIPER PA-12 – 2010-10-02 NTSB Accident Report

On October 02, 2010, a Piper PA-12 (N4166M) was involved in an incident near Chena Hot Springs, AK. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control and collision with trees.

The private pilot reported he was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane on a gravel-covered runway in a left crosswind. He said that he used insufficient rudder on touchdown, and that shortly thereafter the airplane "curved" to the left. He stated he added power to correct the situation and abort the landing, but the airplane's right wing contacted trees and brush "well below flying speed" and pivoted to the right. The airplane continued to track right, exited the gravel runway, and came to rest at the base of an embankment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing assembly and empennage. The pilot noted that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane during the time frame of the accident.

This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC11CA001. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4166M.