# NTSB ANC92LA163: Piper PA-20, N7096K, Wasilla, AK, July 16, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1992, 17:30 local (Jul 16, 1992, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Location: 61.5785° N, 149.4763° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wasilla, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5785&lon=-149.4763&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5803
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5803/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA163

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, AND HIS DELAYED ABORTED TAKEOFF.  CONTRIBUTING WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE THE AIRPLANE PERFORMANCE DATA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF THE FLOATPLANE WOULD CLIMB NO HIGHER THAN 5 TO 10 FEET ABOVE THE WATER.  THE PILOT CUT THE THROTTLE AND THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD IN A SMALL POND LIKE MARSHY AREA JUST PAST THE LAKE FROM WHERE THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED.  THE PILOT DID NOT HOLD A SEAPLANE RATING.  THE PILOT SAID THE AIRPLANE WAS LOADED TO WITHIN ABOUT 50 POUNDS OF ITS MAXIMUM CERTIFICATED GROSS WEIGHT.  THE PILOT AND A WITNESS SAID IT WAS A HOT DAY AND THERE WAS NO WIND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7096K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7096K-2017-07-20), registration cancelled 2017-07-20, S/N 20-203, built 1950 (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: 20-203
- Airframe hours: 1980
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Martin M. Laster
- Registered owner: Martin M. Laster
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1991, 30 hours before
- Destination: RED SHIRT LAKE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 410 total, 330 in this make and model, 325 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 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 19920715036569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920715036569A), Jul 15, 1992: Piper PA20, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. Near gross. Attempted water takeoff. Unable to climb after liftoff. Aborted and landed in adjacent swamp.

## Other investigations on N7096K (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 ANC67D0047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC67D0047), Jul 10, 1966: Piper PA-20 (N7096K), Aleknagik, AK, 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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