# NTSB ANC95LA123: Piper PA-22-150, N7597D, Nikiski, AK, August 2, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 1995, 16:00 local (Aug 2, 1995, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Nikiski, AK - Coordinates: 60.680065, -162.000213 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6801&lon=-162.0002&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2702 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2702/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA123 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, AND HIS DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. THE SOFT TERRAIN AND HIGH GRASS WERE RELATED FACTORS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted - landing gear,nose gear - overload - Nose over, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS LANDED AT A REMOTE AREA TO FISH. THE PILOT HAD LANDED AT THE ACCIDENT SITE ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS. THE LANDING AREA WAS SOFT AND MUDDY WITH HIGH GRASS. A LIGHT RAIN WAS FALLING IN THE AREA. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL FOR THE RETURN FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE ACCELERATED TO 60 MPH, BUT LIFTOFF WAS IMPEDED BY HIGH GRASS. THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, AND THE AIRPLANE TRAVELED BEYOND THE TAKEOFF AREA. THE NOSE GEAR THEN FAILED, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 1995, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-22-150, N7597D, crashed during takeoff from a remote area at the mouth of the Kustatan River, about 18 miles west of Nikiski, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight to Anchorage, Alaska, when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by the pilot, received substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and 3 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that he landed earlier in the day in soft, muddy terrain to fish in the nearby Kustatan River. He had landed in the area on previous occasions. The pilot indicated that during the takeoff run, the airplane accelerated to 60 MPH but the liftoff was impeded by high grass. The pilot aborted the takeoff and the airplane traveled beyond the intended takeoff area. The nose gear then failed and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the nose gear and empennage. The pilot reported that light rain was falling in the area of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7597D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7597D-2025-08-04), registration cancelled 2025-08-04, S/N 22-5298 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-5298 - Airframe hours: 2800 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jerry P. Herring - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1995, 10 hours before - Destination: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 557 total, 549 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 10 knots, gusting 12 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19950801024549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950801024549A), Aug 1, 1995: Piper PA22150, Nikiski, AK, Substantial damage. Tried depart wet tall grass strip. Unable accelerate. Aborted. Ran off end. Nosed over. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.