Aviat A-1 accident near Fairbanks, Alaska, September 28, 2012
On September 28, 2012 at about 6:16 pm local time, a Aviat A-1, registered N36LE, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Fairbanks, Alaska (Chena Marina Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s excessive application of brakes during landing, which resulted in a noseover.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 28, 2012 · about 6:16 pm local time
- Place
- Fairbanks, Alaska · Chena Marina Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aviat A-1
- Registration
- N36LE · registry record · serial 1198
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he had completed several touch-and-go landings and was returning for a final, full stop landing. The touchdown was normal, but during the landing roll, the tail began to rise. The pilot applied full back pressure on the control stick in an attempt to lower the tail, but the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder, lift struts, and wings. The pilot stated there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A witness who responded to the accident site reported that both main wheels turned freely and observed skid marks on the gravel surfaced runway. A postaccident examination revealed brake shoe material had adhered to both brake discs. Thus, given the lack of mechanical anomalies with the airplane, it is likely that the pilot applied excessive braking during the landing roll.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear brakes system › Unneccessary use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 515 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 429 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,222 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 13, 2012
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 Series (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AK28 Fairbanks AK
- Destination: AK28 Fairbanks AK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 4,000 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 8,500 ft; scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 37°F (3°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.20 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from PAFA, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.
Other NTSB records under N36LE the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.