# NTSB ANC85LA182: Piper PA-20, N7440K, Feather River, AK, September 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1985, 20:00 local (Sep 23, 1985, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Feather River, AK
- Location: 64.8317° N, 166.1315° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FEATHER RIVER (3Z1), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8317&lon=-166.1315&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): 4570
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4570/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA182

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - wind information - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - improper use of procedure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE LANDING IN GUSTY SURFACE WIND CONDITIONS THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF HE AIRPLANE AND TURNED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7440K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7440K-2018-03-16), registration cancelled 2018-03-16, S/N 20-351, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20-351
- Airframe hours: 2327
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-2 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David Brian Lemaster
- Registered owner: Craig Wolter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1985, 13 hours before
- Departed: OME, NOME, AK
- Destination: 3Z1, FEATHER RIVER, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 3Z1, Feather River, runway 13, 1,650 × 40 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 178 total, 81 in this make and model, 119 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 335° at 15 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 36 °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 19850922046989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850922046989A), Sep 22, 1985: Piper PA20, Feather River, AK, Substantial damage. At touchdown a gust of wind caused loss of directional control. Aircraft flipped over. Area of unpredictable winds.

## Other investigations on N7440K (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 ANC05CA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA091), Jul 4, 2005: Piper PA-20 (N7440K), Nome, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the landing roll, which resulted in the collapse of the main landing gear, and a nose over. A factor associated with the accident was a…
- [NTSB ANC69D0030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC69D0030), Aug 19, 1968: Piper PA-20 (N7440K), Nome, 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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