# NTSB ANC94LA114: Piper PA-22-150, N4450A, Deadhorse, AK, August 8, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1994, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Deadhorse, AK
- Coordinates: 70.429862, -149.289199 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=70.4299&lon=-149.2892&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 9, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2546
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2546/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA114

## Probable cause

THE SEPARATION OF THE LANDING GEAR TUBE AT THE SPINDLE DUE TO CORROSION.  AN INADEQUATE ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,axle - corroded (cause)
  - landing gear,axle - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
  - ground loop/swerve

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER WERE LANDING ON A GRAVEL AIRSTRIP FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF A PERSONAL CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT FOR THE PURPOSE OF SHEEP HUNTING.  DURING THE LANDING TOUCHDOWN, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR TUBE SEPARATED AT THE AXLE SPINDLE AND THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED.  THE PILOT REPORTED FINDING CORROSION AT THE POINT OF SEPARATION IN AN AREA COVERED BY THE AIRCRAFT'S FABRIC SKIN.  THE FABRIC WAS INSTALLED ON THE AIRPLANE 30 YEARS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.  THE AIRPLANE HAD RECEIVED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION 43 HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Factual narrative

On August 8, 1994, at 1430 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA22-150 airplane, N4450A, owned and operated by the pilot-in-command, sustained a collapsed left main landing gear and ground looped during the landing rollout at Grasser Strip on the Hula Hula River approximately 150 miles southeast of Deadhorse, Alaska.  The private certificated pilot and his one passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged.  The pleasure flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, for the purpose of sheep hunting, last departed Deadhorse, Alaska at 1230 and the intended destination was the Grasser Strip.  The pilot reported that visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area at the time of the mishap and no flight plan was in effect.

The pilot reported that the main gear broke at the point where the forward tube connected at the axle spindle and that corrosion was apparent in the area, under the fabric of the airplane.  The fabric was installed in 1964.

The airplane had accumulated a total time in service of 2,776 flight hours.  The pilot reported that the most recent annual inspection was accomplished on June 9, 1994, 43 flight hours before the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4450A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4450A), registered now, S/N 22-3782, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-3782
- Airframe hours: 2776
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brady, Charles I.
- Registered owner: Brady, Charles I.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1994, 43 hours before
- Departed: SCC, AK
- Airport: Grasser Airstrip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 222 total, 166 in this make and model, 189 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 10 knots
- 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 19940808021749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940808021749A), Aug 8, 1994: Piper PA22150, Deadhorse, AK, Substantial damage. Left main gear collapsed landing. Ground looped. Corroded strut. Broke near axle spindel. Recent annual.

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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