# NTSB ANC01LA149: Piper PA-22, N8127D, Skwentna, AK, September 26, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 2001, 16:30 local (Sep 26, 2001, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Skwentna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.299999, -153.383331
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.3000&lon=-153.3833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 54908
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54908/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA149

## Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to an undetermined reason.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The certificated private pilot reported that just after takeoff, about 150 feet above the ground, all engine power was lost.  Emergency engine procedures did not restore engine power, and he selected a forced landing area that contained trees.  The airplane collided with the trees, and sustained substantial damage to the wings,  fuselage, and empennage.  An FAA airworthiness inspector examined the accident airplane, and reported no preaccident mechanical anomalies.

## Factual narrative

On September 25, 2001, about 1630 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Piper PA-22 airplane, N8127D, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from the Tatitna Airstrip, located about 40 miles northwest of Skwentna, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  The certificated private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.  The flight originated at the accident site about 1625.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board  investigator-in-charge on September 27, the pilot reported that just after takeoff, about 150 feet above the ground, all engine power was lost.   He said that emergency engine procedures did not restore engine power, and he selected a forced landing area that contained trees.  The airplane collided with the trees, and sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.

The airplane was retrieved from the accident site and transported to Wasilla, Alaska.  On October 15, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office, examined the airplane and reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies noted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8127D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8127D), registered now, S/N 22-5618, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-5618
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert A. Jewett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 2001, 86.3 hours before
- Departed: SKW, Skwentna, AK
- Airport: 8KA, Tatitna Airstrip, runway 6, 1,200 × 12 ft, gravel

## 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--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 14, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 292 total, 280 in this make and model, 266 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.13 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 20010925039569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010925039569A), Sep 25, 2001: Piper PA22160, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On 25 sep 2001, at approx. 1900 Alaska daylight time wheel equipped Piper PA-22 airplane, N8127D crashed shortly after take-off from rhon River strip…

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.

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