# NTSB ANC82DA032: Piper PA-32, Akiachak, AK, April 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Date: April 8, 1982, 19:00 UTC, 15:00 local
- Place: Akiachak, AK
- Coordinates: 60.900131, -161.41954 (estimated)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director, April 8, 1983
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69704
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DA032
- NTSB report (PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69704/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DA032

## Analysis

THE PILOT BEGAN TAKING OFF ON A SOFT RUNWAY WITH A LEFT QUARTERING CROSSWIND. HE STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO GET ENOUGH SPEED ON THE SOFT MUD FOR A SAFE TAKEOFF. HE CUT THE POWER TO ABORT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY. THE PLANE CONTINUED OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY WHERE THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR BROKE THROUGH THIN ICE AND SEPARATED. THE RIGHT WING WAS DAMAGED AND BEGAN BURNING WHERE A NAVIGATION LIGHT HAD BROKEN AND CAUSED A SPARK. A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS USED TO STOP THE FLAMES, BUT THE FIRE STARTED AGAIN WHEN THE EXTINGUISHER WAS EXHAUSTED.

## Sequence of events

- Overrun, takeoff
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff
  - terrain condition - weak ice (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9304K, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9304K-2013-08-13) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: Piper PA-32-300 (registry code 7103212, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming TI0-540 series (registry code 41533, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7650076
- Airframe hours: 2932
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KIA5 300 horsepower
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: BOBBY D. COOPCHIAK
- Departed: BET, BETHEL, AK
- Destination: TOG, TOGIAK, AK
- Airport: Z13, AKIACHAK, runway 28
- FAA reports: 19820408008479A (https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820408008479A) (OpenAirDocs)

## Flight crew

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; medical class 2; hours: 2 24 hours, 2 24 hours in this make and model, 7 30 days in this make and model, 24 90 days, 24 90 days in this make and model, 77 pic in this make and model, 285 total, 77 total in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 6 knots
- Visibility (statute miles): 5
- Lowest ceiling (ft AGL): 500
- Temperature (°F): 89.6

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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From OpenAirDocs.org, an independent open copy of NTSB and FAA data. The NTSB's own report is the official record of an investigation.