No fatalities

19 Mar 2017: PIPER PA 12 NO SERIES — Palmer, AK

Palmer, AK, United States

On 19 Mar 2017, a PIPER PA 12 NO SERIES was involved in an aviation accident near Palmer, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a ground loop. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A tailwheel airplane experienced a ground loop during takeoff after the pilot's control inputs caused the tail to rise and fall, followed by overcorrection. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing and elevator sustained substantial damage.

Accident Overview

A pilot reported that during the takeoff roll of a tailwheel-equipped airplane, he applied full power and right rudder while pushing the control stick forward to lift the tail off the ground. The tail subsequently returned to the ground, and the airplane began to veer to the right. The pilot stated that he overcorrected to the left, which resulted in a ground loop. As a consequence, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing and elevator impacted the ground.

Damage Assessment

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Pilot Actions

According to the pilot, the sequence of events began with full power application and right rudder input. Pushing the stick forward was intended to lift the tail, but instead the tail settled back down. The subsequent rightward veer was met with a left overcorrection, which initiated the ground loop. The collapse of the right main landing gear followed, leading to wing and elevator contact with the ground.

Contributing factors

PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained