# NTSB ANC89LA044: Piper J-5, N35038, Skwentna, AK, February 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1989, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Skwentna, AK
- Coordinates: 61.930145, -151.730651 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9301&lon=-151.7307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5166
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5166/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA044

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN OFF AIRPORT LANDINGS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE 252 HOUR PRIVATE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND HIS SKI EQUIPPED PIPER J-5 AIRPLANE ON A FROZEN LAKE WHEN THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING LIFT STRUTS. HE SAID THAT THE LEFT MAIN GEAR ENCOUNTERED A SNOW BERM THAT WAS LARGER THAN ANTICIPATED AND THAT THE GEAR WAS OVERLOADED BY THE IMPACT. THE PILOT RECOMMENDS A CLOSER INSPECTION OF GROUND CONDITIONS PRIOR TO LANDING, AND NOT LANDING WHEN SNOW DRIFTS ARE VISIBLE FROM 100' AGL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35038](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35038-2013-08-22), registration cancelled 2013-08-22, S/N 5-548, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-5
- Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5-548
- Airframe hours: 2585
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-8 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kahler, Michael S.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 2, 1985, 100 hours before
- Departed: Z15, CHUGIAK, AK
- Destination: JOHNSON CREEK, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 252 total, 123 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 150 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 18 °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 19890215003239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890215003239A), Feb 15, 1989: Piper J5A, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. Ski equipped aircraft was landed on a snow covered lake. Struck snow berm, collapsed gear leg and nosed up.

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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