Piper PA-12 accident near Enterprise, Oregon, May 14, 2022
On May 14, 2022 at about 9:30 pm local time, a 1947 Piper PA-12, registered N3960M, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Enterprise, Oregon (Enterprise Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The inadequate maintenance and inspection of the crankshaft expansion plug, which resulted in the separation of the expansion plug from the crankshaft and the subsequent loss of oil and windshield obstruction during departure.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 14, 2022 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Enterprise, Oregon · Enterprise Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-12, built 1947 · all PA-12s on the register
- Registration
- N3960M · registry record · serial 12-2843
- 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 shortly after departure, about 700 ft above ground level (agl), the windshield was sprayed with oil. He turned and entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern and attempted to land on the runway. He reported that he was too high during the approach and aborted the landing. On the second attempt to land on runway 30, the oil spray was getting worse, and the pilot made a precautionary landing resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The postaccident examination of the airplane and interview with the mechanic revealed that the expansion plug was improperly installed and had separated from the end of the crankshaft, causing oil to exit through the propeller spinner resulting in the oil spray on the windshield.
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
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng oil sys › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 7.6 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 20, 2021; 39 hours since
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B3B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 30, 2,850 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft; scat at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 2:35 pm from KJSY, 3 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KJSY 142135Z AUTO 10SM SCT020 SCT025 BKN050 13/06 A3014 RMK AO2 T01300058 TSNO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on April 10, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 2 | NTSB Initial Notification-es | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Examination Field Notes | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Lycoming Service Instruction-front Expansion Plug Replacement | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Photo Array-accident Site (Courtesy of the Pilot) | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Photo Array-faa Engine Examination | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N3960M 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.