# Accident 19980809025069A: Piper STCPA22, Copper Center, AK, August 9, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 9, 1998, 12:00 local time
- Place: Copper Center, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Roll-Out (Fixed Wing)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.6808° N, 145.1399° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6808&lon=-145.1399&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2447P, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2447P-2013-03-26) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-22-150 (registry code 7102210, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER STCPA22
- Reported engine: LYC O360A4J
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 165 total, 80 in this make and model, 65 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC98LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA119) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980809025069A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23)ON AUGUST 9, 1998, ABOUT 1125 ADT, N2447P, A WHEEL EQUIPPED PIPER PA-22, CONVERTED TO A TAILWHEEL CONFIGURATION, RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHILE LANDING ON A REMOTE RIDGE, ABOUT 2-MILES EAST OF COPPER CENTER, ALASKA. THE FLIGHT WAS OPERATED UNDER TITLE 14 CFR PART 91 IN VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.  THE SOLO PILOT WAS NOT INJURED.  THE FLIGHT DEPARTED A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP NEAR TOSINA, ALASKA AT 1100 ADT.  THE PILOT DROPPED A PASSENGER OFF ON THE RIDGE EARLIER AND RETURNING WITH ADDITIONAL GEAR NEEDED FOR A HUNTING TRIP. DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT THE MAIN LANDING GEAR ENCOUNTERED A DEEP DEPRESSION IN THE UNEVEN TERRAIN AND NOSED OVER ABRUPTLY.  PILOT COUNSELED ON THE HAZARDS INVOLVED WITH OFF AIRPORT OPERATIONS. (FROM .4)  THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS LANDING AT AN OFF AIRPORT SITE ON A MOUNTAIN RIDGE.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN, AND NOSED OVER.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC98LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA119), Aug 9, 1998: Piper PA-22 (N2447P), Copper Center, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable off-airport landing site. A factor associated with the accident is rough and uneven terrain.

## Other reports on N2447P (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19881229056889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881229056889A), Dec 29, 1988: Piper PA22150 (N2447P), Girdwood, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing on newly plowed runway on skis. Veered off runway into snow removal truck.
- [Accident 19870615020609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870615020609A), Jun 15, 1987: Piper PA22150 (N2447P), Theodore River, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was unable to get over gross aircraft airborne on gravel road. Aborted ran off road and groundlooped.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.