# NTSB ANC99LA059: Piper PA-28-140, N1808T, Galena, AK, May 7, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 7, 1999, 11:55 local (19:55 UTC) - Place: Galena, AK - Coordinates: 64.739593, -156.849807 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7396&lon=-156.8498&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 46273 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46273/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA059 ## Probable cause The pilot-in-command's inadvertent stall during the flare for landing. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot-in-command's obstructed view of the airspeed indicator. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed - flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator - obstructed (contributing factor) - Fire, other ## Analysis The first pilot, seated in the right seat, was interested in purchasing a one-half interest from the airplane owner and second pilot, seated in the left seat. Both pilots reported that the first pilot was manipulating the controls as the airplane approached for landing on runway 25. They said that about 4 feet above the runway, the nose of the airplane suddenly dropped. The nose landing gear contacted the runway hard, and collapsed. They reported that the airplane slid to a stop, and they both escaped from the airplane, which was then consumed by a postcrash fire. In his written statement to the NTSB, the first pilot added that while seated on the right side of the airplane, it was difficult to read the airspeed indicator that was positioned on the far left side on the instrument panel. Both pilots noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 7, 1999, about 1155 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N1808T, was destroyed by fire after landing at the Galena Airport, Galena, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The first pilot, seated in the right seat, and the second pilot, seated in the left seat, both certificated private pilots, were not injured. The airplane was owned by the second pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on May 7, both pilots reported that the purpose of the flight was to demonstrate the airplane to the first pilot, who was interested in purchasing a one-half interest. The second pilot stated that while the first pilot was landing on runway 25, about 4 feet above the runway, the nose of the airplane suddenly dropped. The nose landing gear contacted the runway hard, and collapsed. He said that the airplane slid to a stop, and they both escaped from the airplane, which was then consumed by a postcrash fire. In his written statement to the NTSB, the first pilot added that while seated on the right side of the airplane, it was difficult to read the airspeed indicator that was positioned on the far left side on the instrument panel. Both pilots noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1808T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1808T-2000-09-14), registration cancelled 2000-09-14, S/N 28-7125161 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7125161 - Airframe hours: 4971 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: S&M Enterprises - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 1998, 40 hours before - Departed: GAL - Airport: GAL, Galena, runway 25, 7,254 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 349 total, 230 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 100 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °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 19990507004749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990507004749A), May 7, 1999: Piper PA28140, Galena, AK, Substantial damage. Acft crashed on landing and was destroyed, other circumstances are unknown.(from .19) on may 7, 1999, about 1155 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper… 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.