# NTSB ANC87LA090: Piper PA-32-301T, N8185W, Becharof Lake, AK, July 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1987, 06:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Becharof Lake, AK
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4866
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4866/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA090

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Nose down, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE WAS ROLLING OUT FOR TAKEOFF WHEN THE NOSE WHEEL STRUCK A SOFT AREA CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO GO UP ON ITS NOSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8185W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8185W), registered now, S/N 328024017, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301t) (registry code 7103209) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 328024017
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Don Brown, doing business as Brown Construction Co., Inc.
- Registered owner: Don Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 3, 1987, 35 hours before
- Departed: DILLINGHAM, AK
- Destination: SXO, SOLDOTNA, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 352 total, 91 in this make and model, 330 as pilot in command, 91 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19870702031989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870702031989A), Jul 2, 1987: Piper PA32301T, Becharof Lake, AK, Substantial damage. The nose wheel collapsed during a rough field takeoff. The pilot had surveyed the area prior to takeoff.

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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