# NTSB ANC89LA128: Piper PA-20, N7400K, Chitina, AK, July 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1989, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Chitina, AK
- Coordinates: 61.449733, -143.150329 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4497&lon=-143.1503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5230
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5230/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA128

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN UNSUITABLE LANDING AREA AND DELAY IN SLOWING THE AIRPLANE AFTER LANDING. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

NEAR THE END OF THE LANDING ROLL DURING AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING, THE AIRPLANE'S MAIN WHEELS WENT INTO A SHALLOW DEPRESSION THAT CROSSED THE LANDING AREA, CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO NOSE OVER ONTO ITS BACK. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE APPLIED BRAKES EARLIER DURING THE LANDING ROLL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7400K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7400K), registered now, S/N 20-308, built 1950 (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 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20-308
- Airframe hours: 3917
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Strauss, Scott H.
- Registered owner: S.H. Strauss/T.N. Hand
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1989, 28 hours before
- Departed: GKN, GULKANA, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 487 total, 181 in this make and model, 406 as pilot in command, 97 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890723024779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890723024779A), Jul 23, 1989: Piper PA20, Chitina, AK, Substantial damage. Landed on an unimproved strip rolled into a depression and airplane nosed over.

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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