# NTSB ANC83LA083: Artic S-1B2, N64AT, Palmer, AK, May 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1983, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 61.62091, -148.980239 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6209&lon=-148.9802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4120
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4120/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA083

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, taxi - to takeoff
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - sand bar (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose down, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER WHILE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF ON A SAND BAR. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS DEMONSTRATING HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ACFT ON SAND AND GRAVEL TO HIS PASSENGER. THE ACFT PASSED OVER A LARGE HUMMOCK AND SETTLED INTO SOFT SAND WHERE IT NOSED OVER. THE PLT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF AND LANDINGS HE BECAME MORE AGRESSIVE AND LESS ATTENTIVE. HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE WAS TAXIING TOO FAST AND THAT HE PURPOSELY TAXIED OVER THE HUMMOCK TO USE IT AS A REFERENCE FOR HIS GROUND RUN. THIS SAND BAR IS SUBJECT TO SOFT AREAS DURING HIGH TIDES. A HIGH FLOOD TIDE HAD OCCURRED EARLIER ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64AT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64AT-1996-03-20), registration cancelled 1996-03-20, S/N 1015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Artic Aircraft Corp. S-1B2
- Registry model: [Arctic S-1B2](https://openairdocs.org/model/arctic-s-1b2) (registry code 0790208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1015
- Airframe hours: 415
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Michael Sparaga
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 1983
- Departed: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 846 total, 325 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 50 °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).

- [Accident 19830530025289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830530025289A), May 30, 1983: Arctic S1B2, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. Taxied into a soft spot and nosed over after landing on a gravel sandbar. Unsuitable terrain.

## Other investigations on N64AT (2)

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.

- [NTSB ANC93FA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93FA172), Sep 8, 1993: Interstate S-1B2 Arctic Tern (N64AT), Talkeetna River, AK, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ROUGH/UNEVEN TAKEOFF LOCATION, THE EXCESS WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE, THE INADEQUATE DESIGN OF THE ADD-ON TANK BY THE…
- [NTSB ANC86LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA050), Apr 26, 1986: Interstate 15B2 (N64AT), Port Heiden, AK, substantial damage

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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