Accident Overview
On March 7, 2026, at approximately 1323 central standard time, a Piper PA-12, registration N2511M, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lockhart, Texas. The pilot (flight instructor) and passenger (student) sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.
Flight Details
According to the flight instructor, the airplane had about 25 gallons of fuel on board and weighed approximately 1,700 pounds. The student was on his last day of tailwheel endorsement training, and they were practicing two- and three-point takeoffs and landings. The instructor had checked weather at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and noted winds from the north. Upon arriving at Lockhart, he observed the windsock and reported calm winds.
They performed a full stop landing to the south on the grassy area between runway 18 and the taxiway. After landing, the instructor estimated about 900 to 1,000 feet of runway remained. He stated the airplane normally takes off in 700 to 800 feet of runway. He opted to have the student execute a takeoff from that location.
During the takeoff roll, after rotation, a loud bang was heard. The airplane "wobbled" to the right and dipped down. The instructor pulled back on the controls. They performed a three-point landing but subsequently collided with a fence and a tree, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.
Weather Conditions
A review of recorded winds from a privately operated weather station in Lockhart, Texas, showed that the wind was out of the south but shifted to the west and then to the north around the time of the accident. The wind from the north was 10 to 15 knots with gusts between 15 and 20 knots.
Aircraft Information
The Piper PA-12 was equipped with a Lycoming O-320-A2B engine, tundra tires, and a Sensenich propeller. The aircraft also carried two video cameras: one mounted on the right wing facing the cockpit and one mounted in the upper right corner of the windscreen facing the two pilots. The video footage from the landing before the accident and the accident takeoff was retained by the National Transportation Safety Board for further review.
Investigation
The accident remains under investigation. No probable cause has been determined at this time.