# NTSB ANC25LA087: Piper PA-22-160, N9314D, Homer, AK, August 19, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 19, 2025, 08:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Homer, AK - Coordinates: 59.8243, -150.6442 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8243&lon=-150.6442&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 9, 2026 - 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): 200819 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200819/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200819 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA087 ## Probable cause The failure of the left main landing gear mount due to extensive corrosion while landing in an area of rough terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: main landing gear attach sec](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane at a remote airstrip, the airplane encountered an area of rough and uneven terrain and the main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to both wing lift struts and the fuselage near the left main landing gear mount. After exiting the airplane, the pilot observed that the left main gear had fractured at the fuselage attach point. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Photos of the fracture surfaces from the main landing gear spring and fuselage attach point exhibited features that were consistent with extensive corrosion. It is likely that a fatigue crack initiated due to the corrosion damage at the fracture origin. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9314D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9314D), registered now, S/N 22-6325, built 1958 (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: 22-6325 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 3575 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 31, 2024, 90 hours before - Departed: HOM, Homer, AK - Destination: HOM, Homer, AK - Airport: NONE, Sheep River Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 18, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 75.3 total, 73.4 in this make and model, 48.6 as pilot in command, 44.5 in the last 90 days, 21.4 in the last 30 days, 1.4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: AHO, 28 nm away - METAR: PAHO 191553Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 12/09 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP130 T01220094 ## 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 20250819014019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250819014019A), Aug 19, 2025: Piper PA-22-160, Homer, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was attempting to land and scout area for upcoming hunting trip. Upon touchdown the right aircraft landing gear collapsed/broke away from the airframe… ## Other investigations on N9314D (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 ANC11CA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA051), Jun 17, 2011: Piper PA-22-160 (N9314D), Bethel, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable off-airport landing site, resulting in a nose over during the landing roll. - [NTSB MKC77FER72](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC77FER72), Jul 31, 1977: Piper PA-22 (N9314D), Minneapolis, MN, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 9, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200819. 7.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 6.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19408505&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA087%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 677 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19409095&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA087%20Photos-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. --- 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.