# NTSB ANC02LA100: Piper PA-22-150, N6949B, Sparrevohn, AK, August 18, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 18, 2002, 13:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: Sparrevohn, AK - Coordinates: 61.810379, -161.440521 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8104&lon=-161.4405&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55573 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC02LA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55573/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA100 ## 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. Factors associated with the accident were a tailwind, and rough and uneven terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - flare/touchdown - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - aborted - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The solo private pilot was landing the airplane to the north on a treeless, mountain ridge top. While on approach for landing, he encountered what he characterized as light and variable winds estimated to be from the north at 10 knots. He said that just after touchdown, he realized that the wind was from the south. The pilot said that he applied full engine power in an attempt to abort the landing, but the airplane did not become airborne. The airplane rolled to the end of the site, and the main wheels struck rough and uneven terrain. The main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid down an embankment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 18, 2002, about 1310 Alaska daylight time, a tundra-tire equipped PA-22-150 airplane, N6949B, sustained substantial damage when it encountered rough and uneven terrain during an aborted landing at an on off-airport site located about 32 miles southwest of Sparrevohn, 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 solo private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 1045, from a private airstrip located at Drift River, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on August 20, the pilot reported that he was landing to the north on a treeless, mountain ridge top. He said that while on approach for landing, he encountered what he characterized as light and variable winds estimated to be from the north at 10 knots. He said that just after touchdown, he realized that the wind was from the south. The pilot said that he applied full engine power in an attempt to abort the landing, but the airplane did not become airborne. The airplane rolled to the end of the site, and the main wheels struck rough and uneven terrain. The main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid down an embankment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident anomalies with 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-22-150 - 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, March 13, 2002, 45.4 hours before - Departed: 3AK5, Drift River, AK - Destination: SVW, Sparrevohn, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 6, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 521 total, 450 in this make and model, 470 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - 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 20020818023409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020818023409A), Aug 18, 2002: Piper PA22150, Sparrevohn, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 18, 2002, at or about 1310 adt, a tundra tire equipped Piper pa 22-150 airplane, N6949B, sustained substantial damage attempting a go-around… ## 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 ANC01LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA125), Aug 22, 2001: Piper PA-22 (N6949B), Sparrevohn, AK, substantial damage. 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. 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.