# NTSB ANC83LA017: Piper PA-22, N1461A, Cordova, AK, November 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1982, 14:25 local (18:25 UTC)
- Place: Cordova, AK
- Coordinates: 60.790439, -145.609725 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7904&lon=-145.6097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70339
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70339/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA017

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil line - leak (contributing factor)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED AS HE APPROACHED CORDOVA HE SMELLED & OBSERVED SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. HE REDUCED POWER & COMMENCED A MODIFIED APPROACH TO RWY 9 WHICH WAS NEAREST HIS POSITION. WHEN HE ELECTED TO ADD POWER THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. THE PLT TURNED & LANDED ON A ROAD RATHER THEN TRY TO REACH THE RWY. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 40 DEG F & THE DEW POINT 34 DEG F. THE PLT WAS NOT CERTAIN HOW LONG THE ENG WAS THROTTLED BEFORE HE ADDED POWER & DID NOT RECALL IF HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT WHEN HE TURNED TOWARD THE ARPT. THE OIL LINE TO THE INPUT SIDE OF THE OIL COOLER WAS FOUND WORN & LEAKING. IT HAD ALLOWED OIL TO ESCAPE & SPRAY THE ENG. THERE WERE STAINS ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM SHOWING THAT BURNING OF SOME FLUID HAD TAKEN PLACE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1461A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1461A-2018-01-11), registration cancelled 2018-01-11, S/N 22-370, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-370
- Airframe hours: 2186
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-C 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Philip David Roper
- Registered owner: Philip David Roper
- Departed: GKN, GULKANA, AK
- Destination: TUCSON, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CDV, Cordova-Mile 13, runway 9, 7,499 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 215 total, 82 in this make and model, 179 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 104 °F
- Observed at: CDV, 4 nm away

## 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 19821122070309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821122070309A), Nov 22, 1982: Piper PA22, Cordova, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot smelled smoke in cockpit and reduced power. Engine failed to respond after prolonged descent.

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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