# NTSB ANC23LA046: Piper PA-22, N3321B, Talkeetna, AK, July 2, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 1, 2023, 18:12 local (Jul 2, 2023, 02:12 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK · riverbank
- Coordinates: 62.29196, -150.11253
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.2920&lon=-150.1125&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 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/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192552
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC23LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192552/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192552
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA046

## Probable cause

The pilot’s encounter with a downdraft while maneuvering low-level, which resulted in a collision with terrain.

## Findings

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

- [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While maneuvering a float-equipped airplane low-level over a river, the pilot turned the airplane downwind and it encountered a downdraft. The airplane subsequently lost altitude and the pilot added power to climb; however, the airplane’s float impacted a gravel bar adjacent to the river. The airplane came to rest in an area of gravel-covered terrain, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3321B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3321B), registered now, S/N 22-2136 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (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: 22-2136
- Year built: 1954
- Airframe hours: 5261.1
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ak8 Assets LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 2023
- Departed: AK8, Talkeenta, AK
- Destination: Cheltna Lake, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 29, 2022; seat: left; flight hours: 266.8 total, 230.3 in this make and model, 120.1 as pilot in command, 25.4 in the last 90 days, 4.2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: ATK, 2 nm away
- METAR: PATK 012053Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 18/08 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP174 T01780078 56009

## 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 20230701008009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230701008009A), Jul 1, 2023: Piper PA-22, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot and two friends were returning to christiansen lake from a trip out of chelatna lake. The pilot stated they were attempting to stay below the Talkeetna…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 7, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192552. 11.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 10.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15874312&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15874634&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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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