# NTSB ANC92LA105: Piper PA-22, N9961D, Kugururak River, AK, July 11, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1992, 04:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Kugururak River, AK
- Coordinates: 67.240951, -161.189147 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2410&lon=-161.1891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5754
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5754/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA105

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF.  FACTORS INCLUDE ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - aborted
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED PIPER PA-22 LANDED ON AN UNIMPROVED AIRSTRIP IN REMOTE ALASKA.  HE DETERMINED THAT THE RUNWAY HAD A CONSIDERABLE RUT OR BUMP ABOUT ONE THIRD TO HALF WAY DOWN THE STRIP. DURING TAKEOFF, AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES PER HOUR, THE RIGHT TIRE ENTERED THE RUT AND THE AIRPLANE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, HEADED OFF THE RUNWAY. AFTER REMEDIAL ACTIONS PROVED INADEQUATE, THE PILOT ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF.  THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9961D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9961D-1995-06-14), registration cancelled 1995-06-14, S/N 226752 (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: 22-6752
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jody R. Sessom, Dds
- Registered owner: Jody R. Sessom, Dds
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 1991, 60 hours before
- Destination: AIN, WAINWRIGHT, AK
- Airport: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 120 total, 60 in this make and model, 93 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19920711026829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920711026829A), Jul 11, 1992: Piper PA22150, Kugururak River, AK, Substantial damage. Tire hit rut on takeoff from remote strip. Headed off runway airborne. Elected to abort. Nosed over heavy braking.

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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