# NTSB ANC07CA101: Piper PA-22-150, N2825Z, Cooper Landing, AK, September 19, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 18, 2007, 18:00 local (Sep 19, 2007, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Cooper Landing, AK
- Coordinates: 60.566665, -149.875
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5667&lon=-149.8750&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66720
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC07CA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66720/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07CA101

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from objects, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees during takeoff/initial climb.  A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to takeoff into known adverse weather.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts
  - terrain condition - water,rough
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - tundra

## Analysis

The private certificated pilot took off from a lake in the float-equipped airplane ferrying supplies and a passenger from a hunting camp under Title 14, CFR Part 91.  The pilot reported that the airplane was slow to come up on step due to heavy chop, and described the winds as gusting to 30 knots.  He said the airplane became airborne and then settled back into the water.  The airplane lifted off the water again, and began to climb slowly.  The pilot said the airplane climbed to about 100 feet above ground level as it crossed the shore, and then began to descend.  He said the engine was at full power, and he lowered the nose to gain airspeed, but the airplane continued to descend.  He said he maneuvered around some large trees before the airplane struck smaller trees, and settled onto the tundra.  The float supports collapsed and right wing struck the ground.  In a written statement, the pilot wrote that he should have departed with a lighter load, or waited for better weather.  He also wrote that he should have re-evaluated the conditions after the airplane settled into the water following the first liftoff.

## Factual narrative

The private certificated pilot took off from a lake in the float-equipped airplane ferrying supplies and a passenger from a hunting camp under Title 14, CFR Part 91.  The pilot reported that the airplane was slow to come up on step due to heavy chop, and described the winds as gusting to 30 knots.  He said the airplane became airborne and then settled back into the water.  The airplane lifted off the water again, and began to climb slowly.  The pilot said the airplane climbed to about 100 feet above ground level as it crossed the shore, and then began to descend.  He said the engine was at full power, and he lowered the nose to gain airspeed, but the airplane continued to descend.  He said he maneuvered around some large trees before the airplane struck smaller trees, and settled onto the tundra.  The float supports collapsed and right wing struck the ground.  In a written statement, the pilot wrote that he should have departed with a lighter load, or waited for better weather.  He also wrote that he should have re-evaluated the conditions after the airplane settled into the water following the first liftoff.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2825Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2825Z), registered now, S/N 22-6819, built 1959 (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: 22-6819
- Airframe hours: 2096
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Todd Braxling
- Registered owner: Todd Braxling
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2006
- Departed: Moose Pass, AK
- Destination: Soldotna, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2004; flight hours: 106 total, 325 in this make and model, 275 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.06 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 20070918021209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070918021209A), Sep 18, 2007: Piper PA22150, Cooper Landing, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) At the time of takeoff, the pilot stated that moderate/heavy winds prevailed. The aircraft became airborne from juneau lake and climbed to approximately…

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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