# NTSB ANC83FA135: Piper PA-28, N8553W, Healy, AK, July 29, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1983, 20:30 local (Jul 29, 1983, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Healy, AK
- Coordinates: 63.679409, -150.029159 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6794&lon=-150.0292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4045
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83FA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4045/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FA135

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, AT APRX 400 FT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT CRASHED IN A RIVER. NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8553W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-10066
- Airframe hours: 3900
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carl Sceley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1983, 43 hours before
- Airport: Healy River, runway 9, 1,000 × 20 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 558 total, 225 in this make and model, 538 as pilot in command, 252 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 37 °F
- 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 19830728039969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830728039969A), Jul 28, 1983: Piper PA28235, Healy, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot reported engine quit on takeoff climb. Stalled and crashed in a river. No engine defects. Possible carburator

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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