Piper PA-12 accident near Koyukuk, Alaska, June 11, 2007
On June 11, 2007 at about 1:00 am local time, a Piper PA-12, registered N78492, was substantially damaged in an accident near Koyukuk, Alaska. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for a gusting tailwind during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control and a nose over. Factors contributing to the accident were the tailwind and wind gust.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 11, 2007 · about 1:00 am local time
- Place
- Koyukuk, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-12 · all PA-12s on the register
- Registration
- N78492 · registry record · serial 12-3903
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airline transport certificated pilot was attempting to land the tailwheel-equipped airplane on a mountain ridge under Title 14, CFR Part 91. He said landing uphill necessitated landing with a tailwind. He reported that during the landing roll a gust of wind picked up the tail, and rolled the airplane upside down. The pilot said the airplane sustained damage to both wings and the rudder.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 20,000 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model
- Last flight review: September 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,762 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 1,850 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-P (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PAUN Unalakleet AK
- Destination: Koyukuk AK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds; scat at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.