# NTSB ANC10CA023: Piper PA-22-160, N8820D, Aniak, AK, March 13, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 13, 2010, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Aniak, AK - Coordinates: 62.833332, -158 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.8333&lon=-158.0000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 1, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO-03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 75493 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC10CA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75493/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75493 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA023 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to maneuver at a low altitude during gusting wind conditions, resulting in a collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [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) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was on a personal cross-country flight in a ski-equipped airplane when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that he was flying about 75 feet above the ground looking for a landing area on a frozen river. He said that the wind was gusting and that the airplane rolled 90 degrees and he was unable to counter the roll before the airplane impacted terrain. He reported there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was on a personal cross-country flight in a ski-equipped airplane, operating under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was flying about 75 feet above the ground looking for a landing area on a frozen river. He said the wind was gusting, the airplane rolled 90 degrees, and he was unable to counter the roll before the airplane impacted terrain. He reported there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8820D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8820D), registered now, S/N 22-5989, 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: 22-5989 - Airframe hours: 4407 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Donhauser Robert - Registered owner: Donhauser Robert - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 2009 - Departed: Stoney River, AK - Destination: Georgetown, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 11, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 4,185 total, 2,700 in this make and model, 4,185 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 15 knots, gusting 40 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 12 °F ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 2, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75493. 798 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 798 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327957&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.