Probable cause
The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while taking off from water in shifting wind conditions.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, while taking off from water to the east, the wind shifted from the east to the south. The airplane became airborne and then aerodynamically stalled, and the left wing impacted the water. The airplane came to rest inverted in the water. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA551 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 15, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Healy, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA 12
- N-number
- N4315M
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1947
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.