# NTSB ANC86LA051: Piper PA-22, N3438A, Chugiak, AK, April 28, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1986, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Chugiak, AK
- Coordinates: 61.410758, -149.169342 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4108&lon=-149.1693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4657
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4657/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA051

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE FLYING IN THE MOUNTAINS AT ABOUT 5000 FEET MSL (200 FEET AGL), THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT, CAUSING IT TO CRASH ON A GLACIER. PILOT ESTIMATED THE WINDS TO BE ABOUT 10 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3438A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3438A-1991-04-04), registration cancelled 1991-04-04, S/N 221712 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-1712
- Airframe hours: 1350
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B3B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael H. Campbell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 9, 1985, 30 hours before
- Departed: BGQ, BIG LAKE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 199 total, 105 in this make and model, 159 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °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 19860428014529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860428014529A), Apr 28, 1986: Piper PA22135, Chugiak, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft impacted a glacier during low level operations. Pilot reported a severe downdraft.

## Other investigations on N3438A (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 UNK77X0100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK77X0100), Oct 1, 1976: Piper PA-22 (N3438A), Coral, MI, 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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