# NTSB ANC86LA141: Piper PA-32-260, N400TH, Stoney River, AK, August 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1986, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Stoney River, AK
- Location: 61.7923° N, 156.5900° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Stony River, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7923&lon=-156.5900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4727
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4727/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA141

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER LIFTOFF HE FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND CRASHED INTO THE RIVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N400TH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N400TH-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N 32-7400035, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 327400035
- Airframe hours: 4239
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Herman M. Lenherdt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 21, 1986, 4 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,983 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,290 as pilot in command, 233 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 28 °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 19860826043069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860826043069A), Aug 26, 1986: Piper PA32260, Stoney River, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft stalled after liftoff from a gravel bar with trees ahead. Crashed in the River.

## Other investigations on N400TH (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 ANC74AA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74AA082), Jun 17, 1974: Piper PA-32 (N400TH), Anchorage, 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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