# NTSB ANC88LA075: Piper PA-20, N7074K, Medfra, AK, June 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1988, 23:00 local (Jun 29, 1988, 07:00 UTC)
- Place: Medfra, AK
- Coordinates: 63.610652, -154.779785 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6107&lon=-154.7798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5018
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5018/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA075

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE 18 YEAR-OLD 100 HOUR PRIVATE PILOT INITIALLY REPORTED THAT THE LEFT WING TIP OF THE PIPER PA-20 HE WAS PILOTING STRUCK BRUSH NEXT TO THE TURF RUNWAY DURING THE LANDING FLARE. HE SAID THAT THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT, OFF THE RUNWAY AND INTO THE DENSE BRUSH. HE LATER DECLARED ON THE ACCIDENT FORM THAT HE SUBMITTED TO THE NTSB THAT THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN HE WAS TAXIING TO THE TIE DOWN AREA AFTER LANDING, WHEN THE RIGHT MAIN WHEEL STRUCK A CLUMP OF WILLOWS AND SWUNG THE AIRPLANE TO THE RIGHT AND INTO THE BRUSH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7074K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7074K), registered now, S/N 20-181, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20181
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Corey R. Chase
- Registered owner: Terry A. Chase
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1987, 104 hours before
- Departed: MCG, MCGRATH, AK
- Destination: MDR, MEDFRA, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MDR, Medfra, runway 2, 2,200 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 102 total, 38 in this make and model, 62 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °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 19880628024259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880628024259A), Jun 28, 1988: Piper PA20, Medfra, AK, Substantial damage. Plane veered off runway into dense brush after wing hit tall brush on landing. Later PIC said veered while taxiing.

## Other investigations on N7074K (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 ANC22LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA027), Mar 25, 2022: Piper PA-20 (N7074K), Chitina, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s exceedance of the wing’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a stall and impact with terrain.

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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