# NTSB ANC92LA026: Piper PA-38, N9765T, Talkeetna, AK, December 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 8, 1991, 13:43 local (17:43 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.449146, -149.789566 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4491&lon=-149.7896&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): 5682
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5682/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA026

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE FOLLOWING AN ABORTED TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING AND THE SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

JUST AFTER LIFT OFF THE AIRPLANE'S WINGS ROCKED LEFT AND RIGHT SEVERAL TIMES.  THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD ON AN APPROXIMATE 30 DEGREE HEADING FROM THAT OF THE RUNWAY, THEN SKIDDED OFF THE RUNWAY.  A WITNESS BY THE RUNWAY STATED THAT THE PILOT APPEARED TO BE HAVING TROUBLE KEEPING THE AIRPLANE ALIGNED WITH THE RUNWAY BOTH ON THE GROUND AND IN THE AIR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9765T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9765T-2013-08-29), registration cancelled 2013-08-29, S/N 38-78A0194, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 78A0194
- Airframe hours: 1977
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ulmer, Inc., doing business as Vernair
- Registered owner: Ulmer, Inc.
- Last inspection: Annual, November 27, 1991, 14 hours before
- Departed: TKA, TALKEETNA, AK
- Destination: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: TKA, Talkeetna, runway 36, 3,500 × 75 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 91 total, 82 in this make and model, 53 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 10 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TKA, 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 19911208060419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911208060419A), Dec 8, 1991: Piper PA38112, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot lost directional control of aircraft on liftoff. Appears left wheel struck snowbank. Aborted slid into ditch.

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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