# NTSB ANC86LA016: Piper PA-20, N7773K, Wasilla, AK, December 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 15, 1985, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Location: 61.5785° N, 149.4763° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wasilla, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5785&lon=-149.4763&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (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): 4628
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4628/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA016

## 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
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - information insufficient, pilot in command
  - inadequate surveillance,inadequate procedure, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
  - performance data - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - insufficient standards/requirements,airman, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - insufficient standards/requirements,airman, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate certification/approval,airman, faa(organization)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadeq certification/approval,operation/operator, company/operator mgmt
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadeq substantiation process,inadeq documentation, company/operator mgmt
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT LOST CONTROL DURING LANDING AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER PRIVATE AIRCRAFT.  WITNESS REPORTED SEEING AIRCRAFT MAKE A FAST APPRAOCH, LAND LONG, GROUND LOOP AND SLIDE SIDE WAYS INTO PARKED AERONCA. WITNESS STATED THAT AIRCRAFT LANDED WITH A TAILWIND,WHILE PILOT REPORTED A HEADWIND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7773K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7773K-2025-10-04), registration cancelled 2025-10-04, S/N 20-600, built 1951 (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: 20-600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald C. Messinger
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: Philos, runway 12, 1,250 × 50 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point -0 °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 19851215063859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851215063859A), Dec 15, 1985: Piper PA22, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. Landed long and fast downwind. Ground looped to prevent overrunning the runway and struck a parked aircraft.

## Other investigations on N7773K (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 ANC82DAG43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DAG43), Aug 24, 1982: Piper PA-20 (N7773K), Eagle River, 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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