# NTSB ANC85LAA04: Piper PA-22-160, N8525D, Fairbanks, AK, September 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1985, 10:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809593, -147.719497 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8096&lon=-147.7195&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): 4576
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LAA04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4576/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LAA04

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE LEFT WING TIP CONTACTED THE RWY AND THE LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER CONTACTED A SIGN FOLLOWING A LOSS ON CONTROL DURING LANIDNG. THE PLT REPORTED BEING AWARE OF THE RIGHT QUARTERING X-WIND BUT THE ACFT BOUNCED DURING THE INITIAL TOUCHDOWN. THE LEFT WING TIP AND LEFT GEAR CONTACTED THE RWY FIRST AND THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY WHERE THE STABILIZER CONTACTED A SMALL SIGN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8525D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-160
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-5753
- Airframe hours: 2390
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jesse L. Cole
- Registered owner: Laverne W. Cossman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 28, 1985
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: FAI, Fairbanks Int'L, runway 19L, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 241 total, 25 in this make and model, 153 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAI

## 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 19850916045469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850916045469A), Sep 16, 1985: Piper STCPA22, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Bounced during crosswind landing. Aircraft settled and wingtip struck runway. Aircraft veered and struck small sign

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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