N4315M – Piper PA 12 – 2019-09-15 NTSB Accident Report

On September 15, 2019, a Piper PA 12 (N4315M) was involved in an incident near Healy, 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 exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while taking off from water in shifting wind conditions.

The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during a water takeoff to the east, the wind shifted from the east to the south. The airplane became airborne, aerodynamically stalled, and the left wing impacted the water. The airplane came to rest inverted in the water.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The pilot reported that the wind was from 115° at 30 knots, gusting to 30 knots.

This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA551. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4315M.