# NTSB ANC92LA055: Piper PA-28-161, N82757, Kenai, AK, March 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 29, 1992, 17:53 local (21:53 UTC)
- Place: Kenai, AK
- Coordinates: 60.660697, -150.899795 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6607&lon=-150.8998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5707
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5707/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA055

## Probable cause

TERRAIN CLEARANCE WAS NOT MAINTAINED. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: SNOW COVERED HILLY TERRAIN, AND DIVERTED ATTENTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - separation
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

WHILE FLYING OVER THE TERRAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET AGL, THE PILOT THOUGHT THAT THE SNOW COVERED TERRAIN WAS FLAT. ONE OF THE PASSENGERS ASKED THE PILOT HOW FAR IT WAS TO HOMER, AK. AS THE PILOT WAS DIALING IN THE FREQUENCY ON THE LORAN, THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER CALLED OUT THE PILOT'S NAME. THE PILOT PULLED BACK HARD ON THE YOKE AND A 'JOLT' WAS FELT. THE PILOT INCREASED ALTITUDE TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE BEFORE RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT ASKED FOR A LOW FLY BY TO HAVE TOWER PERSONNEL LOOK AT THE LANDING GEAR. THE TOWER PERSONNEL REPORTED THAT THE LANDING GEAR WAS NOT EXTENDED. THE PILOT INFORMED THE TOWER THAT THE LANDING GEAR WAS NOT RETRACTABLE AND DECLARED AN EMERGENCY. THE AIRPLANE WAS THEN BELLY LANDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82757](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82757), registered now, S/N 28-8116054, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8116054
- Airframe hours: 1935
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tapp, Michael A.
- Registered owner: Tapp, Michael A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1991, 39 hours before
- Departed: SXQ, SOLDOTNA, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ENA, Kenai, runway 1, 7,575 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 210 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 12 °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 19920329007769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920329007769A), Mar 29, 1992: Piper PA28161, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. Attention diverted tuning loran while flying low over snowy terrain. Knocked off gear on a rise. Returned to base.

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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