# NTSB ANC11CA051: Piper PA-22-160, N9314D, Bethel, AK, June 17, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 16, 2011, 23:30 local (Jun 17, 2011, 07:30 UTC)
- Place: Bethel, AK
- Coordinates: 60.800834, -161.785003
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8008&lon=-161.7850&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: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 4, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 80807
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80807/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA051

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable off-airport landing site, resulting in a nose over during the landing roll.

## 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)
- [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/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: 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)
- [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 landed at an off-airport site and the airplane encountered a mud hole and nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing lift strut. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported while landing at an off-airport site, the airplane encountered a mud hole and nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing lift strut.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9314D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9314D), registered now, S/N 22-6325, 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: 22-6325
- Airframe hours: 2916
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joshua Poirier
- Registered owner: Joshua Poirier
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 18, 2011
- Departed: PABE, Bethel, AK
- Destination: Bethel, AK
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 70 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 20110616016859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110616016859A), Jun 16, 2011: Piper PA-22-160, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he touched down on the tundra and rolled into the tall grass and into a mud hole. When the tires hit the mud they stopped and the a/c tipped…

## Other investigations on N9314D (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 ANC25LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA087), Aug 19, 2025: Piper PA-22-160 (N9314D), Homer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the left main landing gear mount due to extensive corrosion while landing in an area of rough terrain.
- [NTSB MKC77FER72](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC77FER72), Jul 31, 1977: Piper PA-22 (N9314D), Minneapolis, MN, substantial damage

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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