# NTSB ANC04LA118: Piper PA-22-160, N9028D, Kenai, AK, September 6, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 6, 2004, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Kenai, AK - Coordinates: 60.75, -151.616668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7500&lon=-151.6167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 60689 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC04LA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60689/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA118 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing/takeoff site, which resulted in a loss of control and a nose over during an aborted takeoff. Factors in the accident were soft terrain, and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis The private pilot reported he had successfully landed his airplane on a remote, off-airport beach. During the subsequent takeoff attempt, the airplane encountered soft sand, and he was unable to maintain directional control. He aborted the takeoff, but the airplane nosed over in the sand as it came to a stop, and received structural damage. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 2004, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Piper PA-22-160 airplane, N9028D, received substantial damage when it nosed over during an aborted takeoff from a remote beach site, about 4 miles north of Kenai, Alaska. The private pilot and sole passenger were not injured. The local, Title 14, CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight departed Soldotna, Alaska, about 1400. The pilot reported in his written report to the NTSB, that after a successful landing on the remote coastal beach, he initiated a takeoff in the opposite direction of his landing, and attempted to stay in his original tire tracks in the sand. He noted that after approximately 50 yards, he was unable to stay in the tire tracks, and was unable to maintain directional control. He aborted the takeoff, but the airplane continued to roll forward, and eventually nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings, rudder, and lift struts. The pilot, a certificated aviation mechanic, noted that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9028D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9028D-2022-05-09), registration cancelled 2022-05-09, S/N 22-6165, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-160 - 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: 22-6165 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John W. Castenholz - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 2004 - Departed: SXQ, Soldotna, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review September 23, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 259 total, 120 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 100 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 20040906024299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040906024299A), Sep 6, 2004: Piper PA22160, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) During takeoff roll from bishop beach, AK aircraft N9028D veered to the right, the pilot tried to correct by use of left rudder. The aircraft struck the… ## Other investigations on N9028D (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 NYC66D0506](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66D0506), Feb 12, 1966: Piper PA-22 (N9028D), Glen Arm, MD, substantial damage 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.