# NTSB ANC03CA008: Piper PA-22, N878A, Palmer, AK, October 29, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 29, 2002, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 61.416667, -148.550003
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4167&lon=-148.5500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Anchorage
- NTSB case key (mKey): 55987
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC03CA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55987/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03CA008

## Probable cause

The premature liftoff by the pilot during takeoff, which resulted in on ground encounter with terrain when the airplane settled onto rocks.  A contributing factor in the accident was an unfavorable wind.

## 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
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s)
  - landing gear,main gear - collapsed
- Fire, other

## Analysis

The pilot reported he was attempting to takeoff from a remote gravel bar.  He noted the wind conditions as generally calm, with infrequent gusts.  Shortly after liftoff, the airplane settled onto the gravel bar and collided with rocks, collapsing the main landing gear.  The airplane was consumed by a postcrash fire.  The pilot said there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane, and that a wind shift or gust may have contributed to the accident.

## Factual narrative

On October 29, 2002, about 1000 Alaska standard time, N878A, a wheel-equipped Piper PA-22 airplane, converted to a tailwheel configuration, was destroyed following impact with terrain and a postcrash fire while attempting to takeoff from a remote, off-airport site located about 23 miles southeast of Palmer, Alaska.  The private pilot/airplane owner and the two passengers were not injured.  The flight departed Wasilla, Alaska, about 0900, and operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.

During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on October 30, the pilot related that he was attempting to takeoff from a gravel bar adjacent to Lake George.  He said shortly after the airplane became airborne, it settled onto the gravel bar and collided with rocks.  The impact collapsed the left main landing gear and then the right main landing gear.  After the pilot and passengers evacuated the airplane, it was consumed by a postcrash fire.  The pilot indicated that although the wind was calm when he began the takeoff, there were infrequent gusts of wind, and a wind shift or gust may have contributed to the accident.  He said there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N878A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N878A-2012-07-31), registration cancelled 2012-07-31, S/N 22-183, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-183
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A3B reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert A. Jewett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Wasilla, AK
- Destination: Palmer, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 361 total, 350 in this make and model, 57 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 45 °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 20021029030679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021029030679A), Oct 29, 2002: Piper PA22, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) The airman indicated that during takeoff, he allowed the aircraft to become airborne with insufficient airspeed. The aircraft settled onto a gravel bar…

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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