# NTSB ANC92LA016: Piper PA-20, N1685A, Stebbins, AK, November 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1991, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Stebbins, AK
- Coordinates: 63.470443, -162.280059 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.4704&lon=-162.2801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5673
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5673/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA016

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND DURING LANDING. FACTORS WERE THE CROSSWIND AND THE ATTEMPTED GO AROUND

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AS THE UPWIND MAIN LANDING GEAR TOUCHED DOWN, THE UPWIND WING BEGAN TO RISE AND HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL IT.  HE ATTEMPTED A GO AROUND BUT THE UPWIND WING CONTINUED UPWARD AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND ON THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR, THE DOWNWIND GEAR, AND THE RIGHT WING.  THE AIRPLANE WRECKAGE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY AND SLID ACROSS A FROZEN LAKE.  THE WIND WAS A DIRECT CROSSWIND BLOWING AT 10 TO 12 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 15 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1685A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1685A-2014-09-10), registration cancelled 2014-09-10, S/N 20-853, built 1952 (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: 20-853
- Airframe hours: 2334
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Walter L. Smith
- Registered owner: Walter L. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 1991, 56 hours before
- Departed: UNK, UNALAKLEET, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: WBB, Stebbins, runway 5, 3,212 × 60 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 384 total, 105 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 16 °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 19911108050159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911108050159A), Nov 8, 1991: Piper PA20, Stebbins, AK, Substantial damage. Wind rised wing onlanding roll causing other wing to impact veering aircraft onto frozen pond.

## Other investigations on N1685A (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 ANC78FAA13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC78FAA13), Apr 29, 1978: Piper PA-20 (N1685A), Fairbanks, AK, 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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