# NTSB ANC98LA087: Piper PA-20, N2163A, Soldotna, AK, July 1, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 30, 1998, 16:15 local (Jul 1, 1998, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Soldotna, AK - Coordinates: 60.320667, -150.78984 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.3207&lon=-150.7898&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3170 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3170/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA087 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent stall of the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The certificated private pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings with a friend. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge one day after the accident, the pilot stated that he thought the winds were fairly calm as he approached runway 25. He said that while on final approach the wind increased to an estimated 10 to 15 knots from the west, and a strong downdraft pushed the airplane into trees. In his written statement dated July 27, 1998, the pilot reported that while practicing touch-and-go landings, he stalled the airplane prematurely. The airplane collided with an area of high vegetation, and came to rest about 30 feet from the end of the runway. The airplane's fuselage, and wing lift struts sustained substantial damage. The pilot indicated there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane. The Soldotna Airport wind conditions at the time of the accident were reported to be 237 degrees (magnetic) at 7 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 30, 1998, about 1615 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-20 airplane, N2163A, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Soldotna Airport, Soldotna, Alaska. The private pilot/owner, and the one passenger aboard received minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91, personal flight departed the Soldotna Airport about 1430, and remained within the local traffic pattern. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on July 1, the pilot related that he and a friend were practicing touch-and-go landings. He said he thought the winds were fairly calm as he approached runway 25. While on final approach, he said the wind increased to an estimated 10 to 15 knots from the west, and a strong downdraft pushed the airplane into an area of high brush. In his written statement dated July 27, 1998, the pilot reported that while practicing touch-and-go landings, and while the airplane was on final approach to runway 25, he stalled the airplane prematurely. The pilot indicated there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane. The airplane collided with an area of high vegetation, and ultimately came to rest about 30 feet from the end of the runway. The airplane's wing lift struts, and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The Soldotna Airport wind conditions at the time of the accident were reported to be 237 degrees (magnetic) at 7 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2163A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2163A), registered now, S/N 20-891 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-20 - Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20-891 - Airframe hours: 5436 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-C1A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard Frank Moore - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1997, 59 hours before - Airport: SXQ, Soldotna, runway 25, 5,000 × 130 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 735 total, 643 in this make and model, 680 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 237° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PAS ## 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 19980630015409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980630015409A), Jun 30, 1998: Piper PA20, Soldotna, AK, Substantial damage. (From .19) landing wind pecked up to a quartering tailwind. Downdraft pushed PA30 into trees. Wind was calm on prior landings. (From .4) the certificated… ## Other investigations on N2163A (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 ANC78DAG59](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC78DAG59), May 4, 1978: Piper PA-20 (N2163A), Soldotna, AK, 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.