- Date
- June 1, 1997, 18:25 local (Jun 2, 1997, 02:25 UTC)
- Place
- Healy, AK
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N3602APiper PA-22
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report May 29, 1998
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Alaska Regional Office
- FAA report
- 19970601016109A
- Case key
- 3012
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane and runway alignment. Factors relating to the accident were: the crosswind, and the proximity of a creek (ravine) to the runway.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot was departing in a tailwheel equipped airplane from a runway that was located along and above a small creek. A right crosswind of about 8 knots was prevailing at the airport. During the takeoff roll, the right wing began to rise. Full right aileron control did not prevent the right wing from continuing to rise. The airplane departed off the left edge of the runway and became airborne. It then stalled and descended about 75 ft to the ground in a near nose level attitude. The airplane received damage to the left wing, fuselage, and landing gear.
Factual narrative
On June 1, 1997, about 1825 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-22, N3602A, crashed during takeoff at the Healy River Airport, Healy, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, Fairbanks Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported the airplane was departing runway 15. Skid marks on the runway indicated the airplane departed the left side of the runway, down an embankment. The airplane came to rest about 75 feet below the level of the runway.
On June 3, 1997, at 1345, in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported he started the takeoff with a right quartering headwind of about 5 knots. He noticed a dark cloud about 1 mile to the west of the airport. During the takeoff roll, the right wing began to rise. Full right aileron control could not prevent the right wing from continuing to rise. The airplane was pushed to the left, off the edge of the runway. The airplane then stalled, and descended to the ground in a near nose level attitude. The airplane received damage to the left wing, fuselage, and landing gear.
The closest official weather observation station is Healy, Alaska. On June 1, 1997, at 1825, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting in part: Wind, 244 degrees (magnetic) at 8 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles in light rain showers; clouds, 4,000 feet broken, 10,000 feet overcast; temperature, 44 degrees F; dew point, 37 degrees F; altimeter, 29.55 inHg.
The NTSB pilot/operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) was not returned by the pilot.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N3602A
- Reported as
- Piper PA-22
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 22-1862
- Engine
- Lycoming O-290-D2, 135 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Brent A. Howell
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- HVI
- Destination
- MRI · Anchorage, AK
- Airport
- HRR · Healy River, runway 15, 2,920 × 60 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 29
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 215 total
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 244° at 8 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature
- 45 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- HVI
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.