# NTSB ANC97LA103: Piper PA-22, N4520A, Fairbanks, AK, July 15, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 14, 1997, 20:00 local (Jul 15, 1997, 04:00 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.810722, -147.720123 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8107&lon=-147.7201&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3026 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3026/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA103 ## Probable cause The pilot's initiation of an abrupt, evasive maneuver, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors in the accident were an undetermined object crossing the runway and the passenger's rudder control interference during the evasive maneuver. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Abrupt maneuver, takeoff - object - undetermined (contributing factor) - evasive maneuver - performed, pilot in command (cause) - control interference - intentional, passenger (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - Nose over, takeoff ## Analysis The pilot was departing a private airstrip toward the south, and had just obtained lift-off airspeed. The passenger and pilot noticed an unidentified object run across the runway under the main wheels. The pilot thought the object was a dog or child. The pilot abruptly pulled the control stick aft. At the same time, the passenger depressed the right rudder. Both actions were an attempt to miss hitting the object. The right wing struck the runway, and the airplane ground looped and nosed over. ## Factual narrative On July 14, 1997, about 2000 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-22 airplane, N4520A, crashed during takeoff from a gravel airstrip at Chena Marina, about 5 miles southwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. The sole passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. On July 15, 1997, at 1420, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), he was departing runway 18, and had just obtained liftoff airspeed. The passenger and pilot noticed an unidentified object run across the runway, under the main wheels. The pilot indicated he thought the object was a dog or child. The pilot abruptly pulled the control stick aft. At the same time, the passenger depressed the right rudder. Both actions were an attempt to miss hitting the object. The right wing struck the runway, and the airplane ground looped and nosed over. The airplane received damage to the wings, fuselage, and tail assembly. The closest official weather observation station is Fairbanks, Alaska, which is located 5 nautical miles northeast of the accident site. On July 14, 1997, at 1953, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting in part: Wind, 260 degrees (true) at 5 knots; visibility, 30 statute miles; clouds, few at 10,000 feet, 25,000 feet broken; temperature, 59 degrees F; dew point, 39 degrees F; altimeter, 29.93 inHg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4520A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4520A), registered now, S/N 22-3827, built 1957 (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: 22-3827 - Airframe hours: 2785 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Alfred B. Shipley - Registered owner: Stan Bearup - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1997, 16 hours before - Departed: AK28 - Airport: AK28, Chena Marina, runway 18, 4,700 × 100 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,630 total, 30 in this make and model, 1,510 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 5 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FAI, 5 nm away ## 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 19970715018369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970715018369A), Jul 15, 1997: Piper PA22150, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Object ran in front PA22 on takeoff lost control avoiding same. Ground looped. Nosed over. Object unknown. 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.