# NTSB ANC91LA005: Piper PA-20, N7049K, King Salmon, AK, October 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1990, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: King Salmon, AK
- Coordinates: 56.960487, -158.579406 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.9605&lon=-158.5794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5503
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5503/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA005

## Probable cause

INADVERTANT STALL DURING AN ABORTED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE UNCERTIFICATED PILOT-IN-COMMAND, HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TEST THE CONDITION OF THE AIRSTRIP BY TOUCHING DOWN LIGHTLY. UPON TOUCHDOWN ON THE FRESH WET SNOW COVERED AIRSTRIP, THE AIRPLANE DECELERATED RAPIDLY AND HE APPLIED FULL POWER. THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF AND WAS FLYING IN GROUND EFFECT TOWARD THE RIVER. THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A TURN AN REMAIN OVER LAND. THE LEFT WING DROPPED SUDDENLY, RECOVERED, THEN DROPPED AGAIN AND THE AIRPLANE FLEW INTO THE ALDER BUSHES SIDEWAYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7049K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7049K), registered now, S/N 20-157 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (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: 20-157
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles C. Center
- Registered owner: Charles Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: FIELD SITE, AK
- Airport: NONE, Unnamed

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; medical: class 3; seat: front; flight hours: 85 total, 82 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 36 °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 19901012045879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901012045879A), Oct 12, 1990: Piper STCPA20, King Salmon, AK, Substantial damage. Took off in wet snow falling with ice and snow on airframe. Made pass at gravel bar and stalled on go around.

## Other investigations on N7049K (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 ANC98LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA005), Oct 21, 1997: Piper PA-20 (N7049K), Naknek, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion. A factor associated with the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

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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