# NTSB ANC87LA016: Piper PA-22-20, N23CP, Mcgrath, AK, November 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1986, 15:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Mcgrath, AK
- Coordinates: 63.60939, -154.779785 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6094&lon=-154.7798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4809
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4809/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA016

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper altitude - below, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vs) - below, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT-IN-COMMAND STATED HE WAS EXECUTING A SHALLOW APPROACH TO RUNWAY 16 AND PRIOR TO REACHING THE RUNWAY THE ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER. HE FURTHER STATED THAT DURING HIS DESCENT HE DID NOT USE ANY CARBURETOR HEAT. THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO REACHING THE RUNWAY'S THRESHOLD AND CRASHED ON THE THRESHOLD. NO MECHANICAL IRREGULARITIES WERE FOUND AND THE AIRPLANE HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL TO COMPLETE THE FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23CP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23CP-2018-01-02), registration cancelled 2018-01-02, S/N 22-5866, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 225866
- Airframe hours: 2192
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Dickey
- Registered owner: James Dickey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 1986, 13 hours before
- Departed: OTZ, KOTZEBUE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MCG, Mcgrath, runway 16, 5,460 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 467 total, 200 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -22 °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 19861124061529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861124061529A), Nov 24, 1986: Piper PA22S150, Mcgrath, AK, Substantial damage. The engine lost power on final. The aircraft stalled and impacted the runway. Threshold carburetor heat not used.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.