# NTSB ANC97LA003: Piper PA-22, N2821P, Port Ashton, AK, October 3, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 2, 1996, 18:30 local (Oct 3, 1996, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Port Ashton, AK - Coordinates: 55.91991, -159.489059 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9199&lon=-159.4891&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2948 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2948/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA003 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the crosswind and wind gusts. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The pilot reported he was attempting to take off from an off-airport site on a remote island. The takeoff area was surrounded by trees and brush, and the pilot said there was a right, quartering headwind from the northwest which he estimated as 10 to 15 knots, with higher gusts. Shortly after lift-off, the pilot said he lost control of the airplane and collided with adjoining brush. He said he was unaware if the wind suddenly quit, or if he was blown into the brush by a wind gust. ## Factual narrative On October 2, 1996, about 1830 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-22 airplane, N2821P, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during takeoff from an off airport site near Hanning Bay, Montague Island, which is located approximately 22 miles southeast of Port Ashton, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot and the one passenger aboard were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on October 6, 1996, the pilot related that he and a hunting companion were attempting to takeoff to the west from an off airport site to return to Anchorage. The pilot described the takeoff area as a "bush strip...rocky gravel with tundra over...narrow with alders and spruce on both sides and at end." The takeoff area was approximately 1400 feet long and 25 feet wide. He said that shortly after liftoff, he lost control of the airplane and crashed. The pilot said the prevailing wind was a right-quartering headwind, which he estimated as 10 to 15 knots, with higher gusts. He reported that he is unsure if the wind suddenly quit, or if he encountered a wind gust, but said he apparently got away from the runway's center, and collided with adjoining brush. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2821P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2821P-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N 22-3114, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22 - 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: 22-3114 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Winthrop R. Delancey - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1996 - Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK - Destination: MRI, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 1,920 total, 1,860 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 315° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °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 19961002030809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961002030809A), Oct 2, 1996: Piper PA22150, Port Ashton, AK, Substantial damage. Lost control on liftoff from rough narrow clearing. Veered off center due windshear. Collided with brush. 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.