# NTSB ANC98LA095: Piper PA-22, N1724P, North Pole, AK, July 14, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 13, 1998, 21:30 local (Jul 14, 1998, 05:30 UTC) - Place: North Pole, AK - Coordinates: 64.770027, -147.330352 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7700&lon=-147.3304&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 28, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 43065 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43065/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA095 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable runway terrain for takeoff, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors in the accident were uneven/rutted terrain, and high vegetation along the runway edge. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - runway - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot and a passenger were departing from a private airstrip. During the takeoff roll, the airplane's left main tire entered a rut, and veered to the left. The left main tire then entered an area of tall grass located along the left edge of the airstrip. The left wingtip then struck a tree. The airplane pivoted about 180 degrees to the left, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The right wing, and the right elevator, struck the ground. The airplane received additional damage to the tailwheel assembly, the fuselage, and the propeller. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 1998, about 2130 Alaska daylight time, N1724P, a Piper PA-22 airplane converted to a tailwheel configuration, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a private airstrip, about 23 miles south of North Pole, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot. The certificated private pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. In the pilot/operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, the pilot reported he was departing from the Blair Lake Airstrip. The pilot indicated that during the takeoff roll, the airplane's left main tire entered a rut, and veered to the left. The left main tire then entered an area of tall grass located along the left edge of the airstrip. The pilot retarded the engine throttle, but the left wingtip struck a tree. The airplane pivoted about 180 degrees to the left, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane received damage to the wings, the right landing gear, the right elevator, and the tailwheel assembly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1724P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1724P-2017-04-04), registration cancelled 2017-04-04, S/N 22-2514, built 1954 (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: 22-2514 - Airframe hours: 3144 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eric J. Mohrmann - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1998, 5 hours before - Departed: 2AK1 - Destination: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 2AK1, Blair Lake, runway 9, 1,500 × ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 222 total, 52 in this make and model, 186 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FAI, 28 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 19980713021199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980713021199A), Jul 13, 1998: Piper PA22150, North Pole, AK, Substantial damage. Veered left on narrow strip on take off. Went into brush and trees. Damaged gear wings and fuselage. The certificated private pilot, and a passenger were… ## Other investigations on N1724P (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 ANC00LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA064), Jun 5, 2000: Piper PA-22 (N1724P), Gakona, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. 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.