N3506M

Substantial
None

PIPER PA 12S/N: 12-2354

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
NTSB Number
GAA16CA232
Location
Simsbury, CT
Event ID
20160516X10337
Coordinates
41.918334, -72.776390
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 failure to attain the proper touchdown point and the airplane's subsequent impact with a fence during an attempted aborted landing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
12-2354
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1947
Model / ICAO
PA 12M600
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
3
FAA Model
PA-12

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
OBER JOHN A
Address
297 W CANDOR RD
City
CANDOR
State / Zip Code
NY 13743-1308
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that his approach to landing was faster than normal. He further reported that after the airplane bounced on touchdown he elected to abort the landing, but reported that it was too late because the airplane was at the end of the runway and impacted a fence, and nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage.

According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 4 miles to the east, revealed that, about 20 minutes after the accident the wind was 180 degrees true at 11 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, and sky clear. The airplane landed on runway 03.

The Federal Aviation Administration has published the Advisory Circular (AC) 91-79A. This AC discusses the effect of a tailwind on landing distance and states in part: The effect of a tailwind on landing distance is significant and is a factor in determining the landing distance required. Given the airplane will land at a particular airspeed, independent of the wind, the principal effect of a tailwind on operational landing distance is the change in the ground speed at which the airplane touches down.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA16CA232