# NTSB ANC83LA054: Piper PA-28R-180, N17243, Port Heiden, AK, March 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1983, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Port Heiden, AK
- Coordinates: 56.959362, -158.579177 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.9594&lon=-158.5792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (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): 4105
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4105/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA054

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT TAXIED INTO A PILE OF ICE AFTER LANDING. ACCORDING TO AN ALASKA STATE TROOPER THAT ASSISTED IN THE INVESTIGATION, THE PILOT TURNED 45 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT AND DEPARTED THE RUNWAY 150 FEET SHORT OF THE TAXIWAY. THE SUN WAS BRIGHT, AND ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, IT WAS BLINDING HIM. THE COLLISION WITH THE ICE COLLAPSED THE NOSE GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17243](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17243-2014-09-10), registration cancelled 2014-09-10, S/N 28R-30248, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-30248
- Airframe hours: 2365
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald E. Fox
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 9, 1983, 0 hours before
- Departed: PIP, PILOT POINT, AK
- Airport: PTH, Port Heiden, runway 5, 6,240 × 150 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 169 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830309007119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830309007119A), Mar 9, 1983: Piper PA28R180, Port Heiden, AK, Substantial damage. After landing, the aircraft was turned off the runway prior to reaching a taxiway. Struck a ice berm. Sun blinded.

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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