# NTSB ANC83IA072: Piper PA-28R-201, N38565, Mcgrath, AK, April 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1983, 14:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: Mcgrath, AK
- Coordinates: 63.610141, -154.78038 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6101&lon=-154.7804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4087
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83IA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4087/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83IA072

## Analysis

AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS TO TAKEOFF FROM A MUDDY AIRSTRIP AND FAILING, THE PILOT OFF-LOADED ONE PASSENGER AND SOME BAGGAGE. ON THE FOURTH TAKEOFF ATTEMPT THE AIRCRAFT GOT AIRBORNE BUT SETTLED BACK TO A SNOW COVERED FROZEN RIVER. THE SNOW SLOWED THE AIRCRAFT AND THE PILOT REDUCED POWER WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A SMALL RIGHT TURN TO AVOID TREES AND THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED.

## 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
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38565](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38565), registered now, S/N 28R-7737098, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7737098
- Airframe hours: 1619
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-CIC6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Hub Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 10, 1983, 47 hours before
- Destination: MCG, MCGRATH, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 23AK, Lime Village, runway 9, 1,500 × 75 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,222 total, 18 in this make and model, 974 as pilot in command, 239 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °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).

- [Incident 19830419033399I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830419033399I), Apr 19, 1983: Piper PA28R201, Lime Village, AK, Minor damage. Tried 3 times to takeoff from muddy airstrip. Lifted off the fourth time but settled onto a frozen river.

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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