PIPER PA-12 near Joshua Tree, CA — 2011-07-18

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to conduct low altitude flight at a high density altitude and into a box canyon, which resulted in the airplane colliding with rising terrain when its climb capability was exceeded.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during the cross-country repositioning flight over mountainous desert terrain, the airplane impacted the terrain, nosed over to the inverted position, and caught fire. He recalled that the engine was generating power at impact, but he could not recall any details of the flight before the impact. Data recovered from a handheld global positioning system (GPS) device indicated that, during the flight, the pilot was flying at altitudes ranging from about 100 to 1,000 feet above ground level (agl). The last position recorded by the GPS device showed the airplane about 1 nautical mile from the accident site at an altitude of about 4,100 feet mean sea level (msl), which was about 100 feet agl. The accident site was at 4,600 feet msl near the top of a ridgeline at the head of a box canyon. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction that would have prevented normal operation. The calculated density altitude at the accident site at the time of the accident was about 7,300 feet. It is likely that the pilot flew the airplane into the box canyon, and, given the high density altitude, the airplane did not have the climb capability to clear the rising terrain.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Controlled flight into terrain

First missed decision gate

Pilot could have chosen to avoid mountainous terrain during flight.

NTSB coding

• Low altitude operation/event · Maneuvering-low-alt flying
• Decision Making / Judgment

Evidence available

• 5 docket documents

Docket documents5

• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
• Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15form
• NTSB On Site Examination Notesother
• Global Positioning System Device - Specialist's Factual Reportreport
• Global Positioning System Device - Specialist's Factual Report - Attachment 1report

Related mishaps

• CESSNA 172

  2026-05-10 · Marysvale, UT

• ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II

  2026-01-29 · Sullivan, MO

• Glynn RS-3

  2025-12-19 · Crabapple, TX

• JUST Highlander

  2025-11-27 · Brazos, TX

• AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502

  2025-11-05 · Gueydan, LA

• BELL 206

  2025-09-27 · Archer City, TX