# NTSB ANC01LA125: Piper PA-22, N6949B, Sparrevohn, AK, August 22, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 22, 2001, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Sparrevohn, AK - Coordinates: 61.81097, -161.440399 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8110&lon=-161.4404&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA-AL-ANC FSDO 03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 53120 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53120/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA125 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Factors in the accident were rough/uneven terrain, and an overload failure of the main landing gear landing strut. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,main gear strut - overload (contributing factor) ## Analysis The private certificated pilot was landing in a remote area to go hunting. During the landing touchdown, the left main landing gear tire hit a hole. The left main landing gear strut fractured and the tire was pushed upward, into the left wing lift strut. ## Factual narrative On August 22, 2001, about 1000 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-22 airplane, N6949B, sustained substantial damage during a landing about 38 miles southwest of Sparrevohn, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 27, 2001, the pilot reported that he was landing in a remote area to go hunting. During the landing touchdown, the left main landing gear tire hit a hole. The left main landing gear strut fractured and the tire was pushed upward, into the left wing lift strut. The pilot said that he remained at the accident scene until August 24th, when a friend arrived with parts for the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6949B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6949B), registered now, S/N 22-4229, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-4229 - Airframe hours: 2646 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ronald Wild - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 2001, 16 hours before - Departed: DRIFT RIVER, AK - Destination: SPARREVOHN, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 6, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 465 total, 361 in this make and model, 381 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 20010822036389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010822036389A), Aug 22, 2001: Piper PA22150, Sparrevohn, AK, No damage. (-23) On August 22, 2001, at or about 1000 adt, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-22 airplane N6949B, sustained substantial damage maneuvering after landing… ## Other investigations on N6949B (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 ANC02LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA100), Aug 18, 2002: Piper PA-22-150 (N6949B), Sparrevohn, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate evaluation of wind conditions while landing, which resulted in a downwind landing and an encounter with rough terrain when the airplane overran the intended landing area.… 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.