# NTSB ANC89LA064: Piper PA-11, N4620M, Beluga Mountain, AK, March 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 28, 1989, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Beluga Mountain, AK
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5180
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5180/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA064

## Probable cause

PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING AND TAKEOFF.   THE UNEVEN TERRAIN (WITH A SNOW BERM) WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER HAD LANDED AT A REMOTE MOUNTAIN, OFF-AIRPORT LANDING SITE TO REPORTEDLY PHOTOGRAPH A BEAR. DURING THE ENSUING TAKE OFF ATTEMPT, THE SKI EQUIPPED PIPER PA-11 AIRPLANE STRUCK A SNOW BERM WITH ITS RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SKI. THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRFRAME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4620M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4620M), registered now, S/N 11-124 (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 A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11-124
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lee, Cody R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1988, 100 hours before
- Departed: Z15, CHUGIAK, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 100 total, 83 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °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 19890328005739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890328005739A), Mar 28, 1989: Piper PA11, Beluga Mountain, AK, Substantial damage. On takeoff struck a snow berm collapsing right main gear. Landed ski equipped craft on snow field for pictures.

## Other investigations on N4620M (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 FTW68D0505](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68D0505), Apr 5, 1968: Piper PA-11 (N4620M), Lubbock, TX, substantial damage

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.