# NTSB ANC09CA095: Piper PA-22-160, N9985D, Talkeetna, AK, September 3, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 3, 2009, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 62.433334, -151.149993 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4333&lon=-151.1500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (Operations) - NTSB case key (mKey): 74704 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC09CA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74704/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74704 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA095 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing/takeoff area, resulting in a nose over during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was taking off from a sand and gravel-covered off-airport site, on a Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight. He reported that during the takeoff roll the airplane did not become airborne before reaching the end of the site, and the main wheels struck a pool of water at the departure end. The airplane subsequently nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and noted in his report to the NTSB that it was a poor decision to land at the off-airport site. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was taking off from a sand and gravel-covered off-airport site, on a Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight. He reported that during the takeoff roll the airplane did not become airborne before reaching the end of the site, and the main wheels struck a pool of water at the departure end. The airplane subsequently nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and noted in his report to the NTSB that it was a poor decision to land at the off-airport site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9985D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9985D), registered now, S/N 22-6777, built 1959 (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: 22-6777 - Airframe hours: 3141 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kevin E. Vandegriff - Registered owner: Kevin E. Vandegriff - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 2008, 99 hours before - Departed: Talkeetna, AK - Destination: BCV, Chugiak, AK - Airport: runway 18, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 29, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 99 total, 99 in this make and model, 72 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 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 20090903049159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090903049159A), Sep 3, 2009: Piper PA-22-160, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft landed on a gravel/sand bar strip located at the base of the kahiltna glacier. During the take off attempt, the aircraft hit a pool of water at… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 26, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74704. 649 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 649 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320506&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.