What happened
On March 7, 2026, at approximately 13:23 CST, a Piper PA-12, registration N2511M, was involved in an accident near Lockhart, Texas. The aircraft was being used for a Part 91 instructional flight, specifically for a student completing their final day of tailwheel endorsement training. The flight instructor and student were practicing two and three-point takeoffs and landings on a grassy area between runway 18 and the taxiway.
Prior to the accident, the instructor had noted north winds at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS), but observed calm conditions via the windsock at the Lockhart site. After a full-stop landing to the south, the instructor determined there was approximately 900 to 1,000 feet of runway remaining, which was sufficient for the student's takeoff attempt.
During the takeoff roll, the crew heard a loud bang immediately after rotation. The aircraft wobbled to the right and dipped downward, prompting the instructor to pull back on the controls. The aircraft subsequently performed a three-point landing but collided with a tree and a fence, causing substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot and passenger sustained 2 minor injuries and there were 0 fatalities.
The investigation
Records from a private weather station in Lockhart indicated that winds had shifted from the south to the west and then to the north near the time of the accident. The recorded north winds were 10-15 knots, with gusts between 15-20 knots.
The aircraft was equipped with a Lycoming O-320-A2B engine, tundra tires, and a Sensenich propeller. Two video cameras were mounted on the aircraft: one on the right wing facing the cockpit, and one in the upper right corner of the windscreen facing the occupants. The NTSB retained the video footage of the landing and the takeoff accident for further review.