# NTSB ANC82DA021: Piper PA-20, N3404A, Bethel, AK, February 26, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 26, 1982, 17:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Bethel, AK
- Coordinates: 60.810104, -161.849319 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8101&lon=-161.8493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 26, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69935
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69935/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DA021

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS TAXIING TO THE TIE-DOWN AREA WHEN THE RIGHT SKI/LANDING GEAR FAILED. THE PILOT ATTRIBUTED THE FAILURE TO AGE AND NOTED THAT ICE LANDINGS ARE HARD ON SKI EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Main gear collapsed, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - undetermined (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3404A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3404A), registered now, S/N 20-1069, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20-135) (registry code 7102010) (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: 201069
- Airframe hours: 2115
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen J. Gerrish
- Registered owner: Stephen J. Gerrish
- Departed: FIELD SITE, AK
- Destination: FAIRBANKS, AK
- Airport: Kuskokwim River

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 384 total, 300 in this make and model, 326 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots
- Temperature: 59 °F

## 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 19820226001029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820226001029A), Feb 26, 1982: Piper PA20135, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. Ski-equipped aircraft landing gear collapsed while it was taxiing to parking area.

## Other investigations on N3404A (2)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC07CA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07CA004), Oct 23, 2006: Piper PA-20-135 (N3404A), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop and encounter with terrain. Factors associated with the accident were the…
- [NTSB ANC70DAG08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC70DAG08), Mar 7, 1970: Piper PA-20 (N3404A), Glennallen, AK, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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