# NTSB ANC85LA045: Piper PA-11, N4523M, Soldotna, AK, February 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1985, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Soldotna, AK
- Coordinates: 60.320995, -150.790008 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.3210&lon=-150.7900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4465/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA045

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED A GUST OF WIND FORCED THE LEFT WING UP AS THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN. FUUL PWR WAS ADDED TO GO AROUND. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO VEER TO THE RIGHT UNTIL IT STALLED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE APRX 100 YARDS SOUTH OF THE RWY. WINDS WERE REPORTED AS CALM AT THE ACCIDENT SITE APRX 1/2 HR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4523M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4523M-2013-09-19), registration cancelled 2013-09-19, S/N 11-27, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-11
- Registry model: [Piper PA-11](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-11) (registry code 7101102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11-27
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Craig T Moore
- Registered owner: Universal Life Church
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1984
- Airport: SXQ, Soldotna, runway 7, 4,973 × 130 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 97 total, 30 in this make and model, 18 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SXQ

## 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 19850208021559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850208021559A), Feb 8, 1985: Piper PA11, Soldotna_______, AK, Substantial damage. Wind exceeded max crosswind component. Lifted left wing, go around, stayed in right turn, stalled, impacted ground.

## Other investigations on N4523M (1)

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 ANC83LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA128), Jun 25, 1983: Piper PA-11 (N4523M), Kasilof, 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.

---
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.
