# NTSB ANC93LA008: Piper PA-22, N1660A, Seward, AK, October 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1992, 15:29 local (23:29 UTC)
- Place: Seward, AK
- Coordinates: 60.049438, -149.330764 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0494&lon=-149.3308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5847
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5847/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA008

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON THE GROUND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING THE TAKEOFF CLIMB, HIS INADEQUATE TRAINING, HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE, AND THE DITCH.

## Analysis

A WITNESS TO THE ACCIDENT STATED THAT 'THE AIRPLANE TOOK OFF IN A VERY NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, QUIT FLYING, AND FELL TO THE GROUND.'  THEN THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND CRASHED INTO A LARGE DITCH.  THE UNLICENSED PILOT SAID HE COULD NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED.  THE PILOT SAID HE HAD NEVER HAD ANY OFFICIAL FLIGHT INSTRUCTION, BUT HAD FLOWN THREE TIMES WITH A FRIEND DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR.  THE PILOT ALSO SAID THIS WAS HIS SECOND SOLO FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1660A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1660A-1994-02-10), registration cancelled 1994-02-10, S/N 22429 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-429
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bailey, Oscar H.
- Registered owner: Bailey, Oscar H.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 30, 1980
- Departed: SWD
- Airport: SWD, Seward, runway 17, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SWD, 1 nm away

## 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 19921017042419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921017042419A), Oct 17, 1992: Piper PA22, Seward, AK, Substantial damage. Premature nose high liftoff. Stalled pancaked on ground. Swerved into a ditch. No pilot certificate or medical.

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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