# NTSB ANC11CA082: Piper PA-20, N7763K, Tyonek, AK, August 18, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 17, 2011, 18:00 local (Aug 18, 2011, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Tyonek, AK
- Coordinates: 61.269721, -151.79306 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2697&lon=-151.7931&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration – Operations
- NTSB case key (mKey): 81539
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81539/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81539
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA082

## Probable cause

The student pilot’s decision to take off toward a hill with a gusting tailwind. Contributing was the pilot's premature rotation that prevented the airplane from climbing over the hill.

## Findings

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

- [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md)
- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/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-20, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The student pilot reported that he was departing from a remote off-airport site, downhill and with a light and variable tailwind. Because the airplane was gettig closer to a hill at the end of the runway, the pilot said he pulled back on the elevators too soon to fly. Shortly after takeoff, he said that a tailwind gust kept the airplane from climbing, and the main landing gear wheels struck a hill at the departure end of the site. The airplane subsequently nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The student pilot, with one passenger, reported he was departing from a remote off-airport site, downhill, and with a light and variable tailwind. Just after takeoff, he said that a tailwind gust kept the airplane from climbing, and the main landing gear wheels struck a hill at the departure end of the site. The airplane subsequently nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7763K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7763K-2014-11-18), registration cancelled 2014-11-18, S/N 20-586, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20-586
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Randy F. Stahl
- Registered owner: Randy F. Stahl
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Tyonek, AK
- Destination: Soldotna, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 1 total, 1 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken

## 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 20110817018139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110817018139A), Aug 17, 2011: Piper PA-20, Beluga, AK, Substantial damage. The student pilot carrying a passenger, of a PA-20 aircraft, N7763K at the time of accident, did not properly evaluate the takeoff path. There was a slight…

## Other investigations on N7763K (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 ANC84LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA062), May 8, 1984: Piper PA-20 (N7763K), Ester, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK65X0802](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X0802), Nov 22, 1964: Piper PA20 (N7763K), Wainwright, AK, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 10, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81539. 583 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 583 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357734&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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