# NTSB ANC22LA049: Piper PA-20, N7048K, Palmer, AK, June 20, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 20, 2022, 12:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK · Sand bar
- Coordinates: 61.47, -148.83
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4700&lon=-148.8300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340)
- 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): 105390
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC22LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105390/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105390
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA049

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot’s failure to utilize carburetor heat.

## Findings

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

- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)
- [Ice/rain protection system: intake anti-ice, deice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020/cases.md)
- [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was departing from a remote unimproved landing site. During takeoff, at about 200 feet above ground level, the engine lost all power. The pilot made a forced landing to a gravel sand bar, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wing lift struts. The pilot stated that he believed that the carburetor developed ice as weather conditions were conducive to carburetor icing and he failed to apply carburetor heat. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7048K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7048K), registered now, S/N 20-155, built 1950 (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 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20-155
- Year built: 1950
- Airframe hours: 2865
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 SERIES 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 2021, 33 hours before
- Departed: PAAQ, palmer, AK
- Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 4, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 374.3 total, 215.18 in this make and model, 278.3 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: PAAQ, 11 nm away
- METAR: PAAQ 202053Z 21008KT 10SM SCT065 19/06 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP169 T01890061 58006

## 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 20220620010779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220620010779A), Jun 20, 2022: Piper PA-20, Butte, AK, Substantial damage. PIC and passenger departed paq airport for a sightseeing flight. They landed on a gravel bar up the knik river drainage. Upon departure from the gravel bar…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 21, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105390. 4.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14193452&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Anc22LA049%206120_1_Redacted-Rel-Rel.pdf
- Witness statements (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14122403&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-Michael%20Hurlb%202-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14122253&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20ANC22LA049-Rel.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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