# NTSB ANC82DA080: Piper PA-32, N7989C, Near Dillingham, AK, August 26, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1982, 18:00 local (Aug 26, 1982, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Near Dillingham, AK
- Coordinates: 58.820892, -157.859863 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.8209&lon=-157.8599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71859
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71859/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DA080

## Analysis

THE PILOT BEGAN TAKING OFF DOWN SLOPE IN CALM WIND CONDITIONS WITH SIX PASSENGERS ON BOARD. REPORTEDLY, THE 1380 FT RUNWAY WAS MOSTLY DRY, BUT WAS MUDDY IN PLACES, EXCEPT THE LAST 100 FT CONTAINED STANDING WATER. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BARELY LIFTED OFF PRIOR TO CROSSING THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. ABOUT 75 FT FROM THE END, IT STRUCK A BUSH, THEN APPROXIMATELY 50 FT BEYOND THE BUSH, THE MAIN WHEELS TOUCHED DOWN ON THE TUNDRA. THE WHEELS THEN DUG IN ANDTHE AIRCRAFT SLID TO A STOP, COLLAPSING THE NOSE AND RIGHT MAIN GEAR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7989C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7989C-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 32-7640051, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7640051
- Airframe hours: 4223
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Peter Reichard
- Registered owner: Richard K. Armstrong
- Departed: 5QN, NEAR DILLINGHAM, AK
- Destination: DLG, DILLINGHAM, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 5QN, The Queens, runway 5, 1,380 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,003 total, 152 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 383 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °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 19820825043049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820825043049A), Aug 25, 1982: Piper PA32300, Dillingham, AK, Substantial damage. Liftoff was near departure end of runway. Wheels struck bushes. Airplanes wheels dug into tundra. Full load.

## Other investigations on N7989C (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 DEN03FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03FA028), Dec 29, 2002: Piper PA-32-300 (N7989C), Steamboat Spgs, CO, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision making resulting in insufficient altitude to fly over the mountain, and the subsequent inadvertent stall/mush into tree covered mountainous terrain.…

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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