# NTSB ANC80FA055: Piper PA-16, N5939H, Big Lake, AK, June 23, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: June 23, 1980
- Place: Big Lake, AK · BIG LAKE, AK
- Location: 61.5450° N, 149.8180° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Big Lake, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5450&lon=-149.8180&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 130492
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC80FA055
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC80FA055

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2177  80/6/23    BIG LAKE,AK         PIPER PA-16         CR-  0  0  2  INSTRUCTIONAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 27, 789
        TIME - 1415                    N5939H              PX-  0  0  0  DUAL                      TOTAL HOURS, 35 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ANCHORAGE,AK                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           FIRE OR EXPLOSION                                        IN FLIGHT: ACROBATICS
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           SYSTEMS - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: RELAYS AND WIRING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ARCING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FIRE IN CABIN,COCKPIT,BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - WET,SOFT GROUND
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- POSITIVE WIRE CRIMPED BETWEEN BATTERY BOX AND LID.FIRE ORIGINATED AT BATTERY BOX.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5939H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5939H-1989-08-31), registration cancelled 1989-08-31, S/N 16565 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-16
- Registry model: [Piper PA-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-16) (registry code 7101602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19800623064149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800623064149A), Jun 23, 1980: Piper PA16, Big Lake, AK, Destroyed. Battery caught fire after airplane was spun. Landed safe, airplane burned. Found lead seats leaked on battery caps

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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