# NTSB ANC89LA157: Piper PA-11, N4760M, Igushik, AK, September 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1989, 16:45 local (Sep 4, 1989, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Igushik, AK
- Coordinates: 58.749794, -156.539566 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.7498&lon=-156.5396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5253
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5253/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA157

## Probable cause

THE PILOT SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A LANDING.  SOFT TERRAIN WAS A CONTRIBUTING 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, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE LANDING ON A BEACH, THE LEFT WHEEL HIT A SOFT SPOT & THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. THE LEFT WING & PROPELLER THEN HIT THE GROUND, WHICH RESULTED IN FURTHER DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4760M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4760M-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N 11277, 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 A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11277
- Airframe hours: 3287
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-8F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard G. Tubbs
- Registered owner: Marsha K Tubbs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1988, 9 hours before
- Departed: DLG, DILLINGHAM, AK
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,436 total, 1,082 in this make and model, 1,368 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890903033429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890903033429A), Sep 3, 1989: Piper PA11, Igushik, AK, Substantial damage. Hit a soft spot landing on a beach and lost control veered sharply collapsed a gear and damaged a wing.

## Other investigations on N4760M (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 ANC76DAG76](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAG76), Jan 3, 1976: Piper PA-11 (N4760M), Dillingham, AK, no 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.

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