# NTSB ANC86LA026: Piper PA-28-235, N7071C, Mcgrath, AK, February 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1986, 21:23 local (Feb 9, 1986, 01:23 UTC)
- Place: Mcgrath, AK
- Coordinates: 63.610954, -154.779602 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6110&lon=-154.7796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4637
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4637/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA026

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - qualification, pilot in command
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD BEEN DRINKING FOR AN UNKNOWN PERIOD BEFORE UNDERTAKING THE NIGHT FLIGHT. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING IN THE LOCAL AREA IN AN ERRATIC MANNER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT .6 MI SHORT OF RWY 16. IMPACT OCCURRED AT THE BASE OF A SNOW COVERED, GRAVEL BANK. THE PILOT DID NOT POSSESS A VALID MEDICAL CERTIFICATE. HE HAD BEEN DENIED FLYING PRIVILEGES BY THE REGIONAL FAA FLT SURGEON FOR THE CONDITION OF ALCOHOLISM. A CHECK OF HIS BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.240%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7071C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7610046
- Airframe hours: 3584
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Daniel L. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 23, 1985, 21 hours before
- Airport: MCG, Mcgarth, runway 16, 5,460 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,011 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCG

## 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 19860208002359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860208002359A), Feb 8, 1986: Piper PA28235, Mcgrath, AK, Substantial damage. Struck a snow covered gravel pile near runway after erratic operations in area. Suspended license due to alcoholism.

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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