# NTSB ANC82DA041: Piper PA-28-140, N55038, Portage Creek, AK, May 24, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1982, 20:00 local (May 24, 1982, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Portage Creek, AK
- Coordinates: 58.819507, -157.859207 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.8195&lon=-157.8592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72295
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72295/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DA041

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ENCOUNTED A DOWNDRAFT AND THE PLANE STALLED AND HIT THE GROUND DURING TAKEOFF. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST WITH A BROKEN NOSE GEAR, BENT PROPELLER, BROKEN ENGINE MOUNT, AND A BROKEN STROBE LIGHT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTHWEST AT ABOUT 10 KNOTS. ALSO, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE TERRAIN AROUND THE AIRPORT WAS FLAT WITH NO HILLS OR RISING TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55038](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55038-2000-04-06), registration cancelled 2000-04-06, S/N 28-7325310 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7325310
- Airframe hours: 2439
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dan Pauk
- Registered owner: William Pauk
- Departed: AK14, PORTAGE CREEK, AK
- Destination: DILLINGHAM, AK
- Airport: AK14, Portage Creek, runway 3, 1,900 × 90 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 451 total, 114 in this make and model, 382 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820523019549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820523019549A), May 23, 1982: Piper PA28140, Portage Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Stalled on intial climb after takeoff. Possible downdraft and over gross weight, pilot misjudgment.

## Other investigations on N55038 (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX98LA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA281), Sep 3, 1998: Piper PA-28-140 (N55038), Phoenix, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: Fuel starvation due to the pilot's inadequate in-flight fuel management and his failure to select a tank containing fuel prior to the loss of power.

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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