# NTSB ANC98LA158: Piper PA-20, N2106A, Mcgrath, AK, September 24, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1998, 11:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Mcgrath, AK
- Coordinates: 63.61095, -154.780548 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6110&lon=-154.7805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 44018
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44018/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA158

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during takeoff. Factors involved in the accident were a crosswind, and the trees adjacent to the takeoff area.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The private pilot was taking off from a gravel bar with a narrow area free of obstructions and he reported a left crosswind condition. During the takeoff run, the airplane hit a berm, bounced into the air, and drifted to the right. The right wing contacted a tree, and the left tire hooked on a stump.

## Factual narrative

On September 24, 1998, about 1110 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-20 airplane, N2106A, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from an off airport gravel bar, about 42 miles southeast of McGrath, Alaska, near position 62 degrees 30 minutes North latitude, 154 degrees 20 minutes West longitude. The private pilot and sole passenger were uninjured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight from a hunting camp to Farewell, Alaska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed.

The accident pilot, and the pilot of another airplane who was using the same gravel bar, related to the NTSB investigator-in-charge during a telephone interview on September 25, that there was a left crosswind. During the takeoff roll, the airplane bounced, drifted to the right, the right wing contacted trees, and the left wheel hooked on a tree stump. The pilot and witness described the gravel bar as 1,000 feet long, but the area free of obstructions was narrow.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2106A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2106A-2007-10-26), registration cancelled 2007-10-26, S/N 20-886, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20-135) (registry code 7102010) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20-886
- Airframe hours: 3710
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul Downes
- Registered owner: Donna L. Downes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1998, 40 hours before
- Destination: FWL, FAREWELL, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 716 total, 700 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19980924026669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980924026669A), Sep 24, 1998: Piper PA20135, Farewell, AK, Substantial damage. Acft crashed under unknown cicum and sustained sub damage. (.19) on September 24, 1998, about 1110 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-20 airplane, N2106A,…

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.

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