# NTSB ANC22LA027: Piper PA-20, N7074K, Chitina, AK, March 25, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 25, 2022, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Chitina, AK · Glacier
- Coordinates: 61.74363, -142.2717 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7436&lon=-142.2717&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 104860
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC22LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104860/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104860
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA027

## Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the wing’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a stall and impact with terrain.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause)
- [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during approach to land on a snow-covered glacier, the airplane was “lower and slower” than his previous approaches to the glacier. He executed a go-around, the wind “shifted”, and the airplane stalled and impacted the terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach-VFR go-around: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7074K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7074K), registered now, S/N 20-181, 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: 20-181
- Year built: 1951
- Airframe hours: 3361
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 2021
- Departed: Peavine Bar, AK
- Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 20, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 350 total, 250 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.76 inHg
- Observed at: PACV, 119 nm away
- METAR: PACV 252115Z 09010G19KT 10SM BKN026 BKN034 OVC100 05/01 A2976 RMK AO2 T00500006 $

## 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 20220325004319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220325004319A), Mar 25, 2022: Piper PA-20, AK, Substantial damage. Departed from peevee bar cabin approximately 12:00PM. Weather, few high clouds, winds light and variable. Plane was loaded at 2/3 weight capacity and had 4HRS…

## Other investigations on N7074K (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC88LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA075), Jun 29, 1988: Piper PA-20 (N7074K), Medfra, AK, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 22, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104860. 3.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 8 pages, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13813611&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident picture (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 293 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13814326&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20picture-Rel.pdf

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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