# NTSB ANC90LA112: Piper PA-28-180, N6374J, Coldfoot, AK, July 5, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1990, 13:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Coldfoot, AK
- Coordinates: 64.810073, -147.719741 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8101&lon=-147.7197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5400
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5400/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA112

## Probable cause

THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM WHICH THE AIRPLANE COULD NOT OVERCOME WITH POWER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HEAVILY LOADED AIRPLANE AND THE ENGINE NOT DEVELOPING FULL POWER DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - powerplant - low compression (contributing factor)
  - fuselage,cargo compartment - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HEAVILY LOADED AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO TREES ABOUT 40 SECONDS AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A CLOSED DIRT STRIP. GUSTY AND VARIBLE WINDS WERE REPORTED BY WITNESSES. ENGINE TEARDOWN FOUND ALL CYLINDERS CORRODED AND PITTED, RINGS IMPROPERLY ALIGNED, AND VALVES LEAKING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6374J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6374J-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 28-4787, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4787
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: John W. Roth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Airport: NONE, Coldfoot Strip, runway 4, 2,200 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,000 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °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 19900705024099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900705024099A), Jul 5, 1990: Piper PA28180, Coldfoot, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Settled into trees and burned after takeoff from sod strip. Gusty crosswind, poorly maintained engine lacked power.

## Other investigations on N6374J (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 ANC70D0065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC70D0065), Sep 14, 1969: Piper PA-28 (N6374J), Gulkana, AK, 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.

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