# NTSB ANC89LA047: Piper PA-11, N78627, Igiugig, AK, February 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1989, 17:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Igiugig, AK
- Coordinates: 59.850612, -154.560409 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8506&lon=-154.5604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (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): 5169
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5169/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA047

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND HIS FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND THE PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS OF HIS AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - tree(s)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE WEATHER WAS DETERIORATING DURING THE FLIGHT AND HE ELECTED TO LAND ON A FROZEN LAKE. THE PILOT THEN ELECTED TO GO-AROUND. DURING THE GO-AROUND, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78627](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78627-2010-03-23), registration cancelled 2010-03-23, S/N 11-1388, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-11
- Registry model: [Piper PA-11](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-11) (registry code 7101102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 111388
- Airframe hours: 4236
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-B 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter Mlynarik
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1988, 77 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 563 total, 46 in this make and model, 526 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 25 °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 19890223002669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890223002669A), Feb 23, 1989: Piper PA11, Igiugig, AK, Substantial damage. Unable to find desired lake due to visibility. Tried to land in small lake,was overshooting, hit tree on a go around

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.
