# NTSB ANC90LA118: Piper PA-22, N1765A, Port Moller, AK, July 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1990, 18:30 local (Jul 15, 1990, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Port Moller, AK
- Coordinates: 55.920825, -159.489822 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9208&lon=-159.4898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5404
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5404/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA118

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE UNFAVORABLE WINDS, THE SOFT RUNWAY SURFACE, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TRAINING AND TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## 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
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT LOST CONTROL AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER WHILE LANDING ON A SOFT RUNWAY. STRONG, GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS EXISTED AT THE TIME. THE PILOT REPORTED HAVING A TOTAL OF 91 HOURS, WITH ONLY ONE HOUR WITH A CFI. HIS FAA MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HAD EXPIRED, AND HE HAD NOT BEEN APPROVED TO SOLO. THE AIRPLANE, OWNED BY THE PILOT, WAS OVERDUE FOR AN ANNUAL INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1765A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1765A), registered now, S/N 22-499, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (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: 22-499
- Airframe hours: 2085
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert J. Beck
- Registered owner: James H. Huff
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 22, 1988, 91 hours before
- Departed: 5NK, NAKNEK, AK
- Airport: L2G, Port Moller Afs, runway 1, 3,500 × 130 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; student; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 91 total, 91 in this make and model, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °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 19900714026279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900714026279A), Jul 14, 1990: Piper PA22, Port Moller, AK, Substantial damage. Flipped over on soft sand runway while landing in gusty crosswind. Had one hour dual and no sign off for solo.

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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