# NTSB ANC78DAA33: Piper PA-22, N4331A, Bettles, AK, July 22, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: July 22, 1978
- Place: Bettles, AK · BETTLES, AK
- Location: 66.9073° N, 151.5381° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bettles, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=66.9073&lon=-151.5381&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 3, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 140365
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC78DAA33
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC78DAA33

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3381  78/7/22  NR.BETTLES,AK         PIPER PA-22         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 44, 160
        TIME - 1010                    N4331A              PX-  0  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 150 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - GOLD BENCH
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          GOLD BENCH,AK               BETTLES,AK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ABORT TAKEOFF
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: SOFT RUNWAY
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: HIGH VEGETATION
        REMARKS- ACFT STRUCK STORED DRAINAGE PIPE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4331A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4331A-2012-06-21), registration cancelled 2012-06-21, S/N 22-3686, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Gold Bench

## 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 19780722025269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780722025269A), Jul 22, 1978: Piper PA22150, Bettles, AK, Substantial damage. Acft struck stored drainage pipe.

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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