# NTSB ANC81FAA22: Piper PA-22, N8728D, Hess Creek, AK, August 2, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: August 2, 1981
- Place: Hess Creek, AK · HESS CREEK, AK
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 125149
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC81FAA22
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81FAA22

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1832   81/8/2  NR.HESS CREEK,AK      PIPER PA-22         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 28, 31 TOTAL
        TIME - 2030                    N8728D              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PROSPECT CREEK,AK           FAIRBANKS,AK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXCEEDED DESIGNED STRESS LIMITS OF AIRCRAFT
           TERRAIN - WET,SOFT GROUND
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           AIRFRAME - FUSELAGE: WINDSHIELDS,WINDOWS,CANOPIES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
           SYSTEMS - FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS: RUDDER AND RUDDER TAB CONTROL SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - JAMMED
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING OFF AIRPORT
                                  DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEM
                                  SUSPECTED OR KNOWN AIRCRAFT DAMAGE
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  800
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          2 MILES OR LESS                                          RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          SMOKE                                                    IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- NOT ENDORSED SOLO X-C.WNDSHLD BLEW OUT ABV MAX A/S.RCVRD FRM SPIN BLO CLOUDS.RUDDER JAMMED.TUNDRA.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8728D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

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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