Antelope Island, UT, USA
N3222M
Piper PA-12
During a post-accident telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that prior to the accident flight, she placed tape on the intake side of the oil cooler in an effort to keep the oil "from running so cool." Approximately 15 minutes after takeoff, the pilot noted the oil temperature was "over the red line" and elected to make a precautionary off-airport landing. During the landing roll she applied the brakes excessively and the airplane nosed-over, resulting in substantial damage. Another pilot saw the accident, and was able to land without mishap and assist the accident pilot.
On December 9, 2006, about 1000 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-12 (Super Cruiser), N3222M, sustained substantial damage during landing at an off-airport landing site on Antelope Island, Utah. The airplane is owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal/pleasure flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight. The flight originated from Salt Lake City, Utah, approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident. During a post accident telephone conversation (and subsequent written report) with the National Transportation Safety Board, IIC, the pilot stated that prior to the accident flight, tape was placed on the intake side of the oil cooler in an effort to keep the oil "from running so cool." Approximately 15 minutes after takeoff the pilot noted the oil temperature was "over the red line" and elected to make a precautionary landing on Antelope Island. During the landing rollout on the island, the pilot applied brakes and the aircraft nosed-over onto its back resulting in substantial damage.
The pilot's excessive braking during a precautionary landing at an off-airport landing area. A contributing factor was the pilot's non-standard modification of the oil cooler, which resulted in high engine oil temperature.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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