# NTSB ANC85LA060: Piper PA-22, N4810A, Kanektok River, AK, March 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1985, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Kanektok River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (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): 4475
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4475/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA060

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent - emergency
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED AFTER A SHORT FLD TAKEOFF, THE ENG DROPPED TO ABOUT 1000 RPM; THE PLT THEN ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING. UPON TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT SETTLED INTO THE SNOW AND NOSED OVER. THE PLT STATED THE ENG FAILURE WAS DUE TO CARB ICE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4810A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4810A), registered now, S/N 22-3962, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-3962
- Airframe hours: 2693
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brian Ashtor
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 1984, 59 hours before
- Departed: BET, BETHEL, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 48 total, 48 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850325011149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850325011149A), Mar 25, 1985: Piper PA22150, Kanektok River, AK, Substantial damage. Student added power at low altitude and RPM dropped. Landed on snowy River and flipped over. Suspect carburetor ice

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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