On September 24, 2014, a PIPER PA 12 NO SERIES operated by Matthew Thoft was involved in an aviation accident near Holy Cross, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff/landing and failure to maintain control of the aircraft. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A tailwheel-equipped airplane sustained substantial damage after a gust of wind turned it downhill on a 15-degree slope, causing it to roll and nose over.
Incident Details
A pilot was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a remote off-airport site. The pilot reported that the landing area was on a 15-degree slope. The landing itself was uneventful. However, shortly after the airplane came to a stop, a gust of wind caused the airplane to turn so that its nose was pointing down the hill. The airplane then began rolling down the slope and subsequently nosed over.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and wing as a result of the nose-over.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Contributing factors
Causes
PilotPerformance/control parameters — Not attained/maintainedDecision related to condition
What happened in the 24 Sept 2014 PIPER PA 12 NO SERIES accident near Holy Cross, AK?
A tailwheel-equipped airplane sustained substantial damage after a gust of wind turned it downhill on a 15-degree slope, causing it to roll and nose over.
Were there any fatalities in the 24 Sept 2014 PIPER PA 12 NO SERIES accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 24 Sept 2014 involved a PIPER PA 12 NO SERIES, operated by Matthew Thoft, at Holy Cross, AK.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff/landing and failure to maintain control of the aircraft.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…