# NTSB ANC90LA024: Piper PA-22, N2728P, Bettles, AK, January 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 6, 1990, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Bettles, AK
- Coordinates: 67.239562, -152.270782 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2396&lon=-152.2708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5332
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5332/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA024

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, HIGH WIND, DOWNDRAFT, AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT AS HE WAS FLYING OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, A SEVERE DOWNDRAFT WAS ENCTRD NEAR A RIDGE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT DSCNDD TO THE GROUND & CRASHED. ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 3600 FT. THE PLT ESTIMATED THE WIND WAS FROM 290 DEG AT 65 KTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2728P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2728P), registered now, S/N 22-3034, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 223034
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: OLD MAN, AK
- Destination: CARIBOU BAR, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 166 total, 80 in this make and model, 128 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 65 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19900106000619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900106000619A), Jan 6, 1990: Piper PA22150, Bettles, AK, Substantial damage. Low over a ridge line in severe surface wind. Caught a downdraft. Unable to recover crashed on tundra.

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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