# NTSB ANC91LA075: Piper PA-22, N1846P, Beluga, AK, June 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1991, 10:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Beluga, AK
- Coordinates: 55.920902, -159.489456 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9209&lon=-159.4895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5559
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5559/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA075

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE PROPER TAKEOFF PROCEDURES. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TAILWIND, AND THE RISING TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT JUST AFTER TAKOEFF, AND JUST ABOVE THE TREES, THE HEADWIND CHANGED TO A TAILWIND AND THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT CONTINUE TO CLIMB AND IT IMPACTED THE TREES. HE FURTHER STATED THAT HE WAS TAKING OFF UPHILL, AND HE DID NOT USE FULL POWER FOR THE TAKEOFF AND CLIMB. HE SAID AFTER MAKING A PARTIAL POWER RUN UP, AND THE AIRPLANE STARTED MOVING FORWARD, HE FORGOT TO INCREASE THE POWER FOR THE TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1846P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1846P), registered now, S/N 22-2628, 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: 22-2628
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cecil P. Pugmire
- Registered owner: David A. Bates
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1990, 47 hours before
- Destination: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: NONE, Superior Strip, runway 18, 2,500 × 60 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19910616022229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910616022229A), Jun 16, 1991: Piper PA22150, Beluga, AK, Substantial damage. Took off from up hill gravel strip into rising terrain and failed to use full throttle. Result,crashed into trees.

## Other investigations on N1846P (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 MKC71DCG55](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71DCG55), Apr 6, 1971: Piper PA-22 (N1846P), Platte City, MO, 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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