# NTSB ANC96LA054: Piper PA-28, N8873J, Wasilla, AK, April 21, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1996, 12:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Location: 61.6169° N, 149.3215° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ANDERSON LAKE (0AK1), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6169&lon=-149.3215&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 1, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2826
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2826/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA054

## Probable cause

the pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The certificated private pilot and passenger were departing a private gravel airstrip that was 2,200 feet long. The airplane became airborne to an altitude of about 10 feet. The pilot then noted that the engine did not sound as if it was producing full power. There was not a noticeable roughness or dramatic power loss. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff and could not stop the airplane from going off the end of the strip into a stand of alder trees. The nose gear was sheared from the airplane and it received damage to the wings and elevator.

## Factual narrative

On April 21, 1996, about 1250 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-28, N8873J, collided with trees during an aborted takeoff at Anderson Lake Strip, a private airstrip about 4 miles northeast of Wasilla, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight to Aleknagik, Alaska, when the accident occurred.  The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated private pilot and the sole passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll on runway 08, the airplane became airborne to an altitude of about 10 feet.  In a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)  investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot indicated that he thought he heard or felt that the engine did not sound normal.  There was not a noticeable roughness or dramatic power loss.  The pilot decided to abort the takeoff from the 2,200 feet long gravel strip.  The pilot could not stop the airplane from going off the end of the strip into a stand of alder trees.  The nose gear was sheared from the airplane and it received damage to the wings and elevator.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8873J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8873J-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 28-2846, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-2846
- Airframe hours: 3142
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard L. Moody
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 1995, 53 hours before
- Departed: 0AK1
- Destination: 5A8, ALEKNAGIK, AK
- Airport: 0AK1, Anderson Lake Strip, runway 8, 2,200 × 100 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 762 total, 25 in this make and model, 528 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19960421008019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960421008019A), Apr 21, 1996: Piper PA28180, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. Tried depart private strip. Beleived engine notse. Aborted. Overran end into alder trees. Sheared nose gear.

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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