# NTSB GAA16CA185: Piper PA 22-160, N8842D, Palmer, AK, April 6, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 6, 2016, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.256668, -148.582504 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2567&lon=-148.5825&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 1, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 92991 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA185 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92991/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92991 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA185 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, resulting in a runway over-run and collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll on an off airport airstrip the airplane hit a soft spot, and he elected to abort the takeoff. He further reported that he was unable to stop prior to impacting a group of alder trees at the end of the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll on an off airport airstrip the airplane hit a soft spot, and he elected to abort the takeoff. He further reported that he was unable to stop prior to impacting a group of alder trees at the end of the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8842D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8842D), registered now, S/N 22-6012, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 22-160 (160) - 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: 22-6012 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 3264 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 22, 2016 - Departed: Palmer, AK - Destination: A13, ANCHORAGE, AK - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 27, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,000 total, 35 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 275 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 4.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 18 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ, 25 nm away ## Other investigations on N8842D (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 ANC11CA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA023), Apr 9, 2011: Piper PA-22/20 (N8842D), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of a soft, slushy runway for landing, resulting in a noseover. - [NTSB ANC88LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA055), May 9, 1988: Piper PA-22-160 (N8842D), Kodiak, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 25, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92991. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440363&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440364&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.