# NTSB ANC89LA005: Piper PA-22, N3421A, Healy Lake, AK, October 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1988, 18:40 local (Oct 3, 1988, 02:40 UTC)
- Place: Healy Lake, AK
- Location: 63.9872° N, 144.6998° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Healy Lake, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.9872&lon=-144.6998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5136
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5136/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA005

## Analysis

AFTER WAITING FOR MORE FAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS, THE STUDENT PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER ATTEMPTED A DEPARTURE FROM A DIRT STRIP SURROUNDED BY TREES. THE NON-RATED PASSENGER STATED THAT 'AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE AND CLIMBING SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE TREETOPS, IT FELT LIKE I WAS IN AN ELEVATOR AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO HIT THE TOPS OF THE TREES...'. WITNESSES INDICATED THAT THE WINDS WERE OUT OF THE SOUTH-SOUTHEAST AT 35 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 40 KNOTS.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3421A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3421A-1991-11-18), registration cancelled 1991-11-18, S/N 221688 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-1608
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Doyle L. Gabriel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: Healy Lake, runway 9, 2,800 × 40 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 35 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 30 °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 19881002042669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881002042669A), Oct 2, 1988: Piper PA22135, Healy Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Tried to depart with a 35 to 40 knot crosswind. Settled into trees on climbout. Student pilot had passenger on board

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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