N3654M

Substantial
None

PIPER PA-12S/N: 12-2526

Accident Details

Date
Monday, September 5, 2011
NTSB Number
ANC11CA097
Location
Anchorage, AK
Event ID
20110905X05230
Coordinates
61.213611, -149.844451
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's misidentification of the runway environment in dusk light conditions.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
12-2526
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1947
Model / ICAO
PA-12PA12
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
3
FAA Model
PA-12

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
LUNOE FINN
Address
8440 ELMORE RD
City
ANCHORAGE
State / Zip Code
AK 99507-3628
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot was landing at an unlighted, gravel runway, at dusk, when he inadvertently touched down in a grass-covered drainage ditch, which was right of the gravel runway. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with a drainage culvert, sustaining substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot noted in his written statement to the NTSB that he was unable to discern the difference between the gravel runway and grass-covered terrain due to the low-light conditions, and he mistakenly selected the grass-covered ditch. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC11CA097