Piper PA-12 accident near Rye, Colorado, August 31, 2012
On August 31, 2012 at about 3:20 pm local time, a Piper PA-12, registered N3031M, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Rye, Colorado. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s selection of a flightpath toward rising terrain that exceeded the climb capability of the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 31, 2012 · about 3:20 pm local time
- Place
- Rye, Colorado · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-12 · all PA-12s on the register
- Registration
- N3031M · no longer on the register · serial 12-1719
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While maneuvering in mountainous terrain at high density altitude conditions, the pilot impacted a ridge area. An evaluation of the terrain near the accident site and the performance capabilities of the airplane indicated that the pilot selected a route of flight toward rising terrain that the airplane could not climb sufficiently quickly to avoid. Examination of the airframe, engine, and propeller did not reveal any preimpact failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
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 in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Flight planning/navigation › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Climb capability › Capability exceeded
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Mountainous/hilly terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 930 hours in all; 140 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 845 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: November 21, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,868 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 14, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-290 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Three Bushwhackers INC
The flight
- Departed from: PUB Pueblo CO at 2:06 pm
- Destination: PUB Pueblo CO
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 3 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 2:56 pm from WLCC, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.