Piper PA-12 accident near Delta, AK
On July 17, 2011, a Piper PA-12 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Delta, AK. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- July 17, 2011
- Place
- Delta, AK
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-12 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 64.031°N, 145.587°W
- NTSB ID
- 20110718X53000
Official records · ANC11FA065
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 17, 2011, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-12 airplane, N92770, received substantial damage when it collided with tree-covered terrain following a loss of engine power after takeoff from a private airstrip near Delta Junction, Alaska. The sole occupant, a commercial pilot, was fatally injured. The flight was operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was en route to the Fairbanks International Airport, Fairbanks, Alaska. Friends of the pilot stated that he was in town to attend a wedding function. He flew in the day before the accident and remained overnight. The next morning, multiple acquaintances were with the pilot at the airstrip, and observed the accident. Two witnesses observing the takeoff, both commercial pilots, reported that as the airplane flew overhead, they heard some "light popping," and the engine sounded quieter than normal. Approximately 200 to 300 feet above the ground, the engine went quiet. The pilot made a left turn, which was followed by a nose and left wing low descent. The airplane collided with terrain about 250 yards from the departure end of the airstrip. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single and multiengine land, rotorcraft, instrument airplane, and instrument helicopter. He was also a helicopter pilot for the United States Army. His most recent third-clas
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to make a low-altitude turn back to the airport following a loss of engine power, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the severity of the pilot's injuries was the separation of the pilot's seat during impact.
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Browse: Alaska · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
