What happened
On September 23, 2011, a Piper PA-12, registration N78564, was attempting to depart from a remote site near Beluga, Alaska. Due to a light wind blowing down the slope, the pilot chose to perform an uphill takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft struck a bump, which caused it to become airborne earlier than intended. The aircraft was unable to climb sufficiently to clear the rising terrain and vegetation. As the main landing gear contacted high vegetation, the aircraft slowed, struck the ground, and nosed over. The accident resulted in no injuries.
The investigation
Investigators found that there were no mechanical issues with the aircraft prior to the accident. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to its wings during the impact.