# NTSB ANC11CA023: Piper PA-22/20, N8842D, Talkeetna, AK, April 9, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 9, 2011, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.320556, -150.093612
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.3206&lon=-150.0936&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 17, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA FSDO-03
- NTSB case key (mKey): 78823
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78823/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78823
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA023

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of a soft, slushy runway for landing, resulting in a noseover.

## 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: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he contacted a nearby Federal Aviation Administration Flight Service Station (FSS) to ask if any airplanes had taken off or landed at the snow-covered, unattended gravel airstrip that was his destination. The FSS specialist stated that airplanes had landed there earlier in the day, but he did not have information about the runway condition. The pilot overflew the airstrip about 500 feet above the ground and it appeared to be hard packed, with signs of use. During the landing roll, the airplane's tires encountered soft slush and the airplane nosed over, collapsing the right wing lift-strut. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane and that he was unaware that the airstrip was used primarily by ski-equipped airplanes during the winter.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he contacted a nearby FAA flight service station (FSS) to ask if any airplanes had taken off or landed at the snow-covered, unattended gravel airstrip that was his destination. The FSS specialist said airplanes had landed there earlier in the day, but he did not have information about the runway condition. The pilot overflew the airstrip about 500 feet above the ground, and it appeared to be hard packed, with signs of use. During the landing roll, the airplane's tires encountered soft slush, and the airplane nosed over, collapsing the right wing lift-strut. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and that he was unaware that the airstrip was used primarily by ski-equipped airplanes during the winter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8842D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8842D), registered now, S/N 22-6012, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22/20
- 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: 22-6012
- Airframe hours: 3115
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Meadows Marcus M
- Registered owner: Meadows Marcus M
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 29, 2010
- Departed: Z41, Anchorage, AK
- Destination: AK44, Talkeetna, AK
- Airport: AK44, Talkeetna Village Strip Airpor, runway 34, 1,600 × 30 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 31, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 11,500 total, 200 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 20110409005569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110409005569A), Apr 9, 2011: Piper PA-22-160, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot marcus meadows with one passenger on board attempted to land at the Talkeetna Village air strip. Pilot flew over the strip at 500 feet to preview runway…

## Other investigations on N8842D (2)

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.

- [NTSB GAA16CA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA185), Apr 6, 2016: Piper PA 22-160 (N8842D), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, resulting in a runway over-run and collision with trees.
- [NTSB ANC88LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA055), May 9, 1988: Piper PA-22-160 (N8842D), Kodiak, AK, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 28, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78823. 148 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347040&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.

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