# NTSB ANC87FA080: Piper PA-22, N2447P, Theodore River, AK, June 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1987, 21:30 local (Jun 16, 1987, 05:30 UTC)
- Place: Theodore River, AK
- Coordinates: 61.08086, -151.159133 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.0809&lon=-151.1591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4775
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87FA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4775/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87FA080

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF ATTEMPT FROM AN ABANDONED ROADWAY TOO LATE TO STOP IN TIME TO AVOID GOING INTO BRUSH AND SMALL TREES. HE SAID HE DECIDED AGAINST THE TAKEOFF AT ABOUT THE MID-POINT IN THE 4000 FOOT GRAVEL SECTION OF THE ROAD. THE BRAKES CAUSED THE WHEELS TO SLIDE AND HE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP IN THE REMAINING ONE-QUARTER MILE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy
  - abort above v1 - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - attempted, pilot in command
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2447P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2447P-2013-03-26), registration cancelled 2013-03-26, S/N 22-2818, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-2818
- Airframe hours: 1700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Glee Duncan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MRI, THEODORE RIVER, AK
- Destination: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 175 total, 150 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °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 19870615020609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870615020609A), Jun 15, 1987: Piper PA22150, Theodore River, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was unable to get over gross aircraft airborne on gravel road. Aborted ran off road and groundlooped.

## Other investigations on N2447P (2)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC98LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA119), Aug 9, 1998: Piper PA-22 (N2447P), Copper Center, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable off-airport landing site. A factor associated with the accident is rough and uneven terrain.
- [NTSB ANC89LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA027), Dec 29, 1988: Piper PA-22 (N2447P), Girdwood, AK, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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