Piper PA-12 N3613M

Summary

On 10 April 2011 at about 23:45 local time, a Piper PA-12 registered N3613M, operated by Hall Gary L, was involved in an accident near Delta Junction, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 April 2011 at 23:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Delta Junction, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Windsong (AK09)

Coordinates

64.0347, -145.5022

Aircraft

Piper PA-12

Registration

N3613M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Hall Gary L

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Delta Junction → Delta Junction

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC11CA025

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's misjudged altitude while landing in bright sunlight on an airstrip surrounded by snow, resulting in an undershoot and a nose over.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he was practicing takeoffs and landings on a grass airstrip. He said snow had been removed from the center of the grass airstrip, but not the surrounding area. During his approach to land, bright sunlight reflected off the snow that made him lose his depth perception. The airplane touched down short of the runway, nosing over in deep snow. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane. The airplane received substantial damage to both wings.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.