# NTSB ANC97LA087: Piper PA-22, N7025B, Hoonah, AK, June 22, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 22, 1997, 11:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Hoonah, AK - Coordinates: 58.110469, -135.400909 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.1105&lon=-135.4009&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 10, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3017 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3017/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA087 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment ## Analysis The pilot reported he had recently purchased the accident airplane, a tricycle gear airplane converted to a tail wheel configuration, and was practicing touch and go landings to become more familiar with its handling characteristics. On the accident landing, he said the airplane begin to veer to the right, and that he was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane went off the right side of the runway and down a small embankment. The pilot, an aviation mechanic, said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On June 22,1997, about 1115 Alaska daylight time, N7025B, a wheel equipped Piper PA-22, converted to a tail wheel configuration, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Hoonah Airport, Hoonah, Alaska. The solo private pilot was not injured. The local, 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed. The pilot was interviewed on the telephone by the NTSB investigator-in-charge on June 23. The pilot related he was landing on runway 23 in calm wind conditions. He said he was practicing touch and go landings. On the accident landing, he said the airplane touched down on the left main tire first, and then the right. When the right tire touched down, the airplane began to go the right. He said he was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane went off the right side of the runway and down an embankment. After he got out of the airplane, a small fire erupted. The fire was almost immediately extinguished. The pilot, who is also a certificated aviation airframe and powerplant mechanic, said there was no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. He said the airplane went off the runway because he was unprepared for the amount of "tire grab" when the airplane's right main tire touched down on the relatively warm runway. He also said he had just recently purchased the airplane, and was practicing touch and go landings to become more familiar with its handling characteristics. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7025B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7025B-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N 22-4276, built 1956 (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: 22-4276 - Airframe hours: 2817 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Klaus E. Marx - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1997, 23 hours before - Departed: HNH - Airport: HNH, Hoonah, runway 23, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 335 total, 30 in this make and model, 216 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 80 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 19970622015389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970622015389A), Jun 22, 1997: Piper STCPA22, Hoonah, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed on takeoff. (From .4) the pilot reported he had recently purchased the accident airplane, a tricycle gear airplane converted to a tail wheel… ## Other investigations on N7025B (1) 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. - [NTSB MKC68F0447](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC68F0447), Feb 4, 1968: Piper J3C-65 (N7025B), Fergus Falls, MN, substantial damage 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.