# NTSB ANC91LA079: Piper PA-22, N8635D, Beluga, AK, June 23, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1991, 20:00 local (Jun 23, 1991, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Beluga, AK
- Coordinates: 55.920722, -159.490753 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9207&lon=-159.4908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5563
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5563/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA079

## Probable cause

WAS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH, UNEVEN TERRAIN AND CROSSWIND.

## 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
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON THE GRAVEL BAR AND DURING ROLLOUT, THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND THEN GROUND LOOPED.  AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE WIND WAS REPORTED AS 300 DEGREES, 20 TO 30 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8635D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8635D-2018-01-26), registration cancelled 2018-01-26, S/N 22-5843, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 225843
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Theodore Knutson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: NONE, WASILLA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 260 total, 160 in this make and model, 260 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910622023459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910622023459A), Jun 22, 1991: Piper PA22160, Beluga, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control and struck a dirt bank while landing on gravel bar in severe gusty surface wind.

## Other investigations on N8635D (2)

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 ANC12CA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA065), Jul 3, 2012: Piper PA-22-160 (N8635D), McGrath, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to load the airplane in excess of its takeoff capability given the runway conditions, which resulting in a collision with terrain during the initial climb.
- [NTSB DEN66D0240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66D0240), Feb 17, 1966: Piper PA-22 (N8635D), Seligman, AZ, 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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