# NTSB ANC07CA105: Piper PA-32, N3948W, Chenega Bay, AK, September 21, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 21, 2007, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Chenega Bay, AK
- Coordinates: 60.048332, -147.899993
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0483&lon=-147.9000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66760
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC07CA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66760/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07CA105

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a collision with a ditch during the landing roll.  A factor associated with the accident was the ditch.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The private certificated pilot was landing toward the south on a remote airstrip at the conclusion of a Title 14, CFR Part 91, cross-country personal flight.  The gravel surface airstrip was about 1,000 feet long and about 50 feet wide.  The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the left main landing gear struck a ditch that extended about 20 feet into the runway area.  The left main landing gear was torn off, and the airplane slid into an area of trees.  The airplane received structural damage to the wings and fuselage.

## Factual narrative

The private certificated pilot was landing toward the south on a remote airstrip at the conclusion of a Title 14, CFR Part 91, cross-country personal flight.  The gravel surface airstrip was about 1,000 feet long and about 50 feet wide.  The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the left main landing gear struck a ditch that extended about 20 feet into the runway area.  The left main landing gear was torn off, and the airplane slid into an area of trees.  The airplane received structural damage to the wings and fuselage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3948W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3948W-2012-04-26), registration cancelled 2012-04-26, S/N 32-934, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-934
- Engines: Lycoming O-540 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James L. Lawler
- Registered owner: Monty Lawler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PASX, Soldotna, AK
- Destination: Chenega Bay, AK
- Airport: runway 18, 1,000 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 9,904 total, 1,700 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20070921021269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070921021269A), Sep 21, 2007: Piper PA32260, Seward, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) During an attempt to land on the established airstrip, the aircraft touched down and hit a washout which was about one foot wide and two feet deep. In…

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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