# NTSB ANC83LA082: Piper PA-28-180, N7488W, Kenai, AK, May 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1983, 17:00 local (May 20, 1983, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Kenai, AK
- Coordinates: 60.659553, -150.899917 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6596&lon=-150.8999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (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): 4119
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4119/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA082

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT ON A SHORT FINAL APPROACH HE ENCOUNTERED A WINDSHEAR. THE PILOT ONLY HAD 5 HOURS IN THIS TYPE ACFTAND HAD LITTLE EXPERIENCE LANDING AT THE LOCATION OF THE ACCIDENT. THIS FIELD HAS NO FACILITIES EXCEPT A WINDSOCK. IT ISBORDERED BY TREES TO THE SOUTH AND A LAKE TO THE NORTH. THE ACFT HAD THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR TORN OFF AND THE LEFT WING DAMAGED IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7488W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7488W), registered now, S/N 28-1399, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-1399
- Airframe hours: 1199
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tim A. Veal
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 1983, 6 hours before
- Departed: ENA, KENAI, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: LZ1, Arness Strip, runway 21, 1,700 ×  ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 116 total, 5 in this make and model, 71 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ENA, 6 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 19830519022999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830519022999A), May 19, 1983: Piper PA28180, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. Landing downwind aircraft entered a downdraft on short final impacted lip off the runway severing the main gear.

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.