# NTSB ANC92LA084: Piper PA-20, N7475K, Alexander Creek, AK, June 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1992, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Alexander Creek, AK
- Coordinates: 55.920112, -159.489318 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9201&lon=-159.4893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5734
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5734/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA084

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING FLARE/TOUCHDOWN.  A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CROSSWIND WEATHER CONDITION.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON A SAND BAR IN CROSSWIND WEATHER CONDITIONS WHEN THE ACFT BOUNCED ON TOUCHDOWN, WEATHER VANED INTO THE WIND AND THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR IMPACTED SOFT SAND.  THE LEFT WHEEL DUG INTO THE SAND, THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED, AND THE LEFT LANDING GEAR STRUT COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7475K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7475K-2022-07-02), registration cancelled 2022-07-02, S/N 20-389 (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: 20-389
- Airframe hours: 2700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Satterlee, Stephen R.
- Registered owner: Satterlee, Stephen R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 1991, 50 hours before
- Departed: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: NONE, None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 316 total, 316 in this make and model, 270 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19920601017389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920601017389A), Jun 1, 1992: Piper STCPA20, Alexander Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Lost control landing on a sand bar when crosswind caused wheel to dig in. Aircraft weather vaned. Ground looped.

## Other investigations on N7475K (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 UNK64X1265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1265), Apr 11, 1964: Piper PA20 (N7475K), Hays, KS, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.