# NTSB ANC01LA045: Piper PA-22-108, N4606Z, Palmer, AK, March 31, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 31, 2001, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.583332, -149.084167 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5833&lon=-149.0842&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53188 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53188/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA045 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area. A factor associated with the accident was rough/uneven terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The certificated private pilot was departing from a snow-covered 800 feet long site, in a tundra-tire equipped airplane. The pilot said that as he neared the end of the site, just before the airplane became airborne, the right main wheel hit a rut, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane veered to the right, and collided with a stand of willows. ## Factual narrative On March 31, 2001, about 1700 Alaska standard time, N4606Z, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-22-108 airplane, converted to a tailwheel configuration, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from an off airport site, about 23 miles southeast of Palmer, Alaska. The certificated private pilot, and the one passenger aboard, were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 1300, from the Wasilla Airport, Wasilla, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on April 1, the pilot reported that he was departing to the west from a snow-covered 800 feet long site. He said that as he neared the end of the site, just before the airplane became airborne, the right main wheel hit a rut, and the right main landing gear collapsed. He said the airplane veered to the right, and collided with a stand of willow trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4606Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4606Z-2022-02-05), registration cancelled 2022-02-05, S/N 22-8120, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-108 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-8120 - Airframe hours: 3605 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jeffrey R. Clements - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 2000, 93 hours before - Departed: Palmer, AK - Destination: WAS, Wasilla, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 105 total, 50 in this make and model, 61 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.62 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010331016789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010331016789A), Mar 31, 2001: Piper PA22108, Palmer, AK, No damage. (-23) On March 31, 2001, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-20, N4606Z registered to and piloted by jeffery r. clements was involved in an aircraft accident at an… 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. --- 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.