# NTSB DEN83LA205: Piper PA-22, N9038D, Alzada, MT, August 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1983, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Alzada, MT
- Coordinates: 45.229042, -104.529953 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2290&lon=-104.5300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16150
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16150/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA205

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear shock absorbing strut - failure,total (cause)
  - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear shock absorbing strut - fatigue (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING LANDING AFTER THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE PLT SAID THE LANDING WAS A LITTLE HARD AND THATHE HIT A BUMP WHICH BROKE THE LEFT SHOCK CORD. THE PLT STATED THAT HE DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THE LANDING WAS HARD ENOUGH TO FAIL THE GEAR BUT THAT IT WAS FATIGUED FROM OPERATING OUT OF UNIMPROVED LANDING SITES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9038D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9038D), registered now, S/N 22-6176, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6176
- Airframe hours: 2353
- Engines: AVCO LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gene Brimmer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 5, 1983, 49 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,693 total, 3,693 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 98 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19830823066739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830823066739A), Aug 23, 1983: Piper PA22160, Alzada, MT, Substantial damage. Shock strut broke during landing on rough terrain causing aircraft to nose over.

## Other investigations on N9038D (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 ANC04LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA072), Jun 29, 2004: Piper PA-22-160 (N9038D), Beluga, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for landing, which resulted in an on ground encounter with rocks during the landing roll, and the collapse of the left main landing gear.

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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