# NTSB ANC82DAG45: Piper PA-38-112, N2409P, Eagle River, AK, August 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1982, 20:00 local (Aug 17, 1982, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Eagle River, AK
- Location: 61.3214° N, 149.5678° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Eagle River, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.3214&lon=-149.5678&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70537
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DAG45
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70537/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DAG45

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper climb rate - not possible
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT ELECTED TO FLY INTO THE MOUTH OF PETER'S CREEK VALLEY TO LOOK AT A FRIEND'S CABIN. HE STATED THAT AFTER HE FLEW OVER THE CABIN AT ABOUT 1500 FT MSL, HE "INITIATED POWER AND A 180 DEG TURN." HE STATED THAT ON APPLICATION OF FULL POWER, THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND IN ANY WAY. ANTICIPATING A CARBURETOR ICE PROBLEM, HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT. HE STATED THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN POWER AFTER THIS STEP, SO HE ELECTED TO EXCHANGE ALTITUDE FOR AIRSPEED TO AGAIN INITIATE A 180 DEG TURN OUT OF THE VALLEY. ALSO, HE STATED POWER WAS CONSISTENTLY DECREASING ALONG WITH A SAFE AREA TO MAKE A TURN. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE ELECTED TO LAND IN THE BEST AREA AVAILABLE WHICH WAS A FAIRLY FLAT KNOLL ON THE SIDE OF THE VALLEY. DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE PLANE IMPACTED IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 2000 FT. NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS IDENTIFIED. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 45 & 35 DEG. ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS INDICATED SERIOUS CARB ICING COULD OCCUR AT OR BELOW CRUISE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2409P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2409P-2012-09-06), registration cancelled 2012-09-06, S/N 38-79A0980, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0980
- Airframe hours: 1487
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Piper Sales Alaska
- Registered owner: Piper Sales Alaska
- Departed: MRI, MERRILL FIELD, AK
- Destination: MRI, MERRILL FIELD, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,204 total, 5 in this make and model, 1,018 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 113 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19820816043219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820816043219A), Aug 16, 1982: Piper PA38112, Eagle River, AK, Substantial damage. Flew low over friends cabin. Was unable to outclimb rising terrain on the go-around.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.