11) LOTOT, U-FIT

JP Flyer PA-12 | N1202Y

September 14th, 2024 | Wasila, Alaska

Accident Location

  • City: Wasila
  • State: Alaska
  • Latitude: 61.615712
  • Longitude: -149.31137
  • Airport ID: 0AK1

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N1202Y
  • Make: JP Flyer
  • Model: PA-12
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: Yes

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Bergstedt, Jon
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 71
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School:
  • Instructional Flight:
  • Pilot Certification: Airline Transport Pilot
  • IFR Rating: Yes
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 3rd Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: September 14th, 2024
  • Time: 9:25 AM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Takeoff
  • Total People Onboard: 1
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 0
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 1
  • NTSB No: ANC24FA092
  • NTSB Travel: Unknown
  • AQP Classification: 11) LOTOT, U-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB:  The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot elected to attempt flight on the first flight after an extensive custom conversion from a Piper PA12- to a unique build of the pilots own design, called a JP Flyer. While the engine did not sound normal during ground taxi, the pilot attempted flight and then lost all power immediately after takeoff, and the pilot never lowered the nose. The aircraft stalled and spun and impacted just beyond the departure end of the runway. Various witnesses at the airport reported that as the airplane began its initial takeoff roll on Runway 8, the engine appeared not to have been producing full takeoff power, and they initially thought that the pilot would abort the takeoff, but the airplane unexpectedly became airborne and started a shallow climb. As the airplane continued the shallow climb, witnesses reported hearing the engine lose power and it descended behind a stand of trees at the departure end of the runway.

NTSB: 

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft be fully rehearsed and conditioned for both LOTOT and ROTOT and be fully prepared to lower the nose and fly straight ahead when encountering power anomalies after takeoff.

NTSB:

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.