# NTSB ANC95LA045: Piper PA-20-125, N7483K, Koliganek, AK, April 15, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1995, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Koliganek, AK
- Coordinates: 58.820934, -157.859558 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.8209&lon=-157.8596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2641
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2641/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA045

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT IS A CROSSWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED HE WAS LANDING HIS TAIL WHEEL AIRPLANE TO THE NORTHEAST WITH A PREVAILING 30-35 KNOT EASTERLY CROSSWIND. HE SAID THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE WIND LIFTED THE RIGHT WING, WHICH CAUSED THE LEFT WING TO CONTACT THE GROUND. HE SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY NOSED OVER. THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED HE HAD TWO PASSENGERS ABOARD, AND HAD ACCRUED AN ESTIMATED 4,500 HOURS OF TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.

## Factual narrative

On April 15, 1995, about 1200 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-20-125 airplane, N7483K, sustained substantial damage while landing at Koliganek Airport, Koliganek, Alaska.  The student pilot and two passengers aboard were not injured.  The personal flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight departed Levelock, Alaska, on April 15, time unknown.

The pilot has not completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report.  He did speak to the NTSB investigator- in-charge via telephone on August 21, 1995.  During that conversation, he reported he was landing to the northeast with an estimated surface wind of 30 to 35 knots velocity from the east. He said that the airplane's right wing was lifted by the wind during the landing roll, and that he was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane's left wing subsequently struck the ground, and the airplane nosed over.

The pilot said he had accrued approximately 4,500 total flight hours as a student pilot, with approximately 300 hours in the PA- 20.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7483K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7483K), registered now, S/N 20-397 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20-125
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 397
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Troy D. Peterson
- Registered owner: Edward D. Peterson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KLL, LEVELOCK, AK
- Airport: Koliganek, runway 4, 1,500 ×  ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 4,500 total, 300 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 35 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °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 19950415008099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950415008099A), Apr 15, 1995: Piper PA20, Koliganek, AK, Substantial damage. Wind lifted wing on crosswind landing. Dragged other wing. Nosed over. Wind exceeded PA20 crosswind component.

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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