Loss of Control on Ground: Piper PA-12, N4159M, accident occurred July 28, 2018 at Sandia Airpark Estates East Airport (1N1), Edgewood, Santa Fe County, New Mexico

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albuquerque, New Mexico

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

Investigation Docket - Aviation Accident Factual Report: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N4159M

Location: Edgewood, NM
Accident Number: GAA18CA530
Date & Time: 07/28/2018, 2000 MDT
Registration: N4159M
Aircraft: Piper PA 12
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane ground looped to the left.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and right elevator.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

Findings

Aircraft
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing

Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 58, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/21/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/26/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 1730 hours (Total, all aircraft), 248 hours (Total, this make and model), 1616 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 31 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 28 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 8 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N4159M
Model/Series: PA 12 No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1947
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility
Serial Number: 12-3058
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 3
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/26/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1935 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:  4698 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320-A2A
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 150 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KABQ, 5314 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 23 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0152 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 262°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 8000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 210°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.18 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 11°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Las Vegas, NM (LVS)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Edgewood, NM (1N1)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1915 MDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: SANDIA AIRPARK ESTATES EAST (1N1)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 6565 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry; Soft
Runway Used: 27
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4830 ft / 30 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  35.094722, -106.163333 (est)