# NTSB ANC98LA119: Piper PA-22, N2447P, Copper Center, AK, August 9, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 9, 1998, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Copper Center, AK - Coordinates: 61.680812, -145.139923 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6808&lon=-145.1399&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 43722 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43722/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA119 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable off-airport landing site. A factor associated with the accident is rough and uneven terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported he was landing at an off airport site on a mountain ridge. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered rough/uneven terrain, and nosed over. ## Factual narrative On August 9, 1998, about 1200 Alaska daylight time, N2447P, a wheel equipped Piper PA-22, converted to a tailwheel configuration, received substantial damage while landing on a remote ridge, located about 20 miles east of Copper Center, Alaska. The solo private pilot was not injured. The Title 14, CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight last departed a private airstrip near Tosina, Alaska, about 1100. The intended destination was the ridge where the accident occurred. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on August 11, the pilot related he had dropped a passenger off on the ridge earlier, and was returning with additional equipment to prepare for a hunting trip. He said that during the accident landing on the rough and uneven terrain, the main landing gear encountered a deep depression, and the airplane abruptly nosed over. The pilot said the vertical stabilizer, lift struts, and wing spars were damaged in the accident. He indicated there were no preaccident mechanical difficulties with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2447P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2447P-2013-03-26), registration cancelled 2013-03-26, S/N 22-2818, built 1955 (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: 22-2818 - Airframe hours: 3725 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4J 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael W. Renfro - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: TOSINA, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 165 total, 80 in this make and model, 105 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 4 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F ## 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 19980809025069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980809025069A), Aug 9, 1998: Piper STCPA22, Copper Center, AK, Substantial damage. (-23)On August 9, 1998, about 1125 adt, N2447P, a wheel equipped Piper PA-22, converted to a tailwheel configuration, received substantial damage while landing… ## Other investigations on N2447P (2) 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 ANC89LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA027), Dec 29, 1988: Piper PA-22 (N2447P), Girdwood, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC87FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87FA080), Jun 16, 1987: Piper PA-22 (N2447P), Theodore River, 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.