# NTSB ANC92LA094: Piper PA-22, N3516P, Oshetna River, AK, June 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1992, 23:00 local (Jun 15, 1992, 07:00 UTC)
- Place: Oshetna River, AK
- Coordinates: 62.100238, -145.530899 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.1002&lon=-145.5309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5745
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5745/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA094

## Probable cause

THE TAILWIND AND THE PILOT NOT UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECTS. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE ATTEMPTED PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AND THE HIGH VEGETATION IN THE FORCED LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - weather condition - tailwind (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS DEPARTING THE ONE WAY IN AND ONE WAY OUT AIRSTRIP WITH A QUARTERING TAILWIND.  AFTER LIFT OFF HE WAS UNABLE TO OUT CLIMB THE BLUFF AND SURROUNDING TERRAIN.  HE TURNED THE AIRPLANE DOWNWIND AND WAS STILL UNABLE TO CLIMB SO HE LANDED IN THE ALDER BUSHES.  THE AIRPLANE BURNED AFTER THE LANDING.  THE PILOT STATED THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES WITH THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO OR DURING THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3516P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3516P-1992-11-05), registration cancelled 1992-11-05, S/N 223269 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-3269
- Airframe hours: 3533
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A3B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jonathan R. King
- Registered owner: Jonathan R. King
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 1991, 85 hours before
- Destination: GKN, GULKANA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 300 total, 80 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 55 °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 19920614021699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920614021699A), Jun 14, 1992: Piper PA22150, Oshetna River, AK, Destroyed. Downwind takeoff. Unable to clear a bluff. Turned down River alsot downwind. Settled linto trees. Ops beyond limits

## Other investigations on N3516P (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 NYC65F0004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC65F0004), Feb 6, 1965: Piper PA-22 (N3516P), Prospectville, PA, 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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