# NTSB ANC12CA065: Piper PA-22-160, N8635D, McGrath, AK, July 3, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 3, 2012, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: McGrath, AK - Coordinates: 62.952777, -155.606948 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.9528&lon=-155.6069&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO-01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 84206 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12CA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84206/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84206 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA065 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to load the airplane in excess of its takeoff capability given the runway conditions, which resulting in a collision with terrain during the initial climb. ## 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) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was departing from a grass/turf runway with a passenger and cargo onboard. The airplane became airborne, but it did not climb. After clearing trees at the end of the site, the airplane settled to the ground and collided with terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot stated that he should have flown his cargo out first and then returned for his passenger. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was departing from a grass/turf runway, with a passenger and cargo onboard. As the airplane became airborne, it did not climb. After clearing trees at the end of the site, the airplane settled to the ground, and collided with terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. In the pilot’s written statement to the NTSB, he stated he should have flown his cargo out first, and then returned for his passenger. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8635D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8635D-2018-01-26), registration cancelled 2018-01-26, S/N 22-5843, built 1957 (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: 22-5843 - Airframe hours: 4400 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Chapman Harold J - Registered owner: Chapman Harold J - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2011 - Departed: McGrath, AK - Destination: PANN, Nenana, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 2, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 625 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 20120703014849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120703014849A), Jul 3, 2012: Piper PA-22-160, Mcgrath, AK, Destroyed. The pilot's written narrative stated: the gravel runway was 1700 feet in length; it trends east west and has a 2% gradient; it is highest on the east end; he… ## Other investigations on N8635D (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 ANC91LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA079), Jun 23, 1991: Piper PA-22 (N8635D), Beluga, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: WAS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH, UNEVEN TERRAIN AND CROSSWIND. - [NTSB DEN66D0240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66D0240), Feb 17, 1966: Piper PA-22 (N8635D), Seligman, AZ, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 8, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84206. 565 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 565 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374497&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.