# NTSB ANC08CA086: Piper PA-32-301, N81522, Pilot Point, AK, July 8, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 7, 2008, 16:32 local (Jul 8, 2008, 00:32 UTC)
- Place: Pilot Point, AK
- Coordinates: 57.580276, -157.571945
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.5803&lon=-157.5719&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi-into takeoff position: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Anchorage, FSDO-03
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68626
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC08CA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68626/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08CA086

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi-into takeoff position: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The commercial pilot had dropped off passengers, and was taxiing for takeoff on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, positioning flight. The pilot was using a rural road for a runway. While taxiing, the right wing struck a berm, and the airplane exited the roadway to the left, sustaining substantial damage to both the right and left wings.

## Factual narrative

The commercial pilot had dropped off passengers, and was taxiing for takeoff on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, positioning flight. The pilot was using a rural road for a runway. While taxiing, the right wing struck a berm, and the airplane exited the roadway to the left, sustaining substantial damage to both the right and left wings.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N81522 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-301
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-80006004
- Airframe hours: 13461
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Redemption INC, doing business as Island Air
- Registered owner: Redemption INC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 2008
- Departed: PADQ, Kodiak, AK
- Destination: Pilot Point, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 3,082 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 2,902 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 37 °F

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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