# NTSB ANC90LA120: Piper PA-24-400, N8508P, Bettles, AK, July 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1990, 08:24 local (16:24 UTC)
- Place: Bettles, AK
- Coordinates: 67.240173, -152.270233 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2402&lon=-152.2702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5406
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5406/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA120

## Probable cause

PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

A SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF WAS MADE TO AVOID GRAVEL STRIKES. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AFTER LIFT-OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8508P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8508P-1992-12-29), registration cancelled 1992-12-29, S/N 2688 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-400
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-400) (registry code 7102408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2688
- Airframe hours: 1535
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1A 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cyrille Dennis Moore
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1990, 20 hours before
- Destination: OTZ, KOTZEBUE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: BTT, Bettles, runway 19, 5,200 × 100 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 316 total, 106 in this make and model, 256 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BTT, 1 nm away

## 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 19900719030739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900719030739A), Jul 19, 1990: Piper PA24400, Bettles, AK, Substantial damage. Nose high after takeoff roll. Left wing hit tree. Aircraft burned. Was attempting soft field takeoff.

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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