# NTSB GAA17CA187: Piper PA22, N72999, Ruby, AK, February 16, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 15, 2017, 16:00 local (Feb 16, 2017, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Ruby, AK
- Coordinates: 65.136108, -153.539443 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.1361&lon=-153.5394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94866
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94866/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94866
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA187

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in flat light conditions on a hard-packed snow-covered landing area.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: hidden/submerged object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md)
- [Light condition: flat light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing: 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, ski-equipped airplane reported that, while landing off airport in flat light conditions, he was unable to maintain a good visual reference of the hard-packed snow-covered landing area. After touchdown, the airplane drifted off the hard-packed snow, and the left ski sunk in softer snow. He increased power and attempted to recover with "hard right control" to no avail. The airplane's left ski struck a snow-covered tank. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel, ski-equipped airplane reported that while landing off airport in flat light conditions, he was unable to maintain a good visual reference of the hardpacked snow covered landing area. After touchdown, the airplane drifted off the hardpacked snow and the left ski sunk in softer snow. He increased power and attempted to recover with "hard right control" with no prevail. The airplane struck a snow-covered tank with the left ski. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72999](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N72999), registered now, S/N 22-6507 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA22 (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: 22-6507
- Year built: 1958
- Airframe hours: 3857.9
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 29, 2016
- Departed: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Destination: Ruby, AK
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 13, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 8,434 total, 2,550 in this make and model, 8,434 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 28.97 inHg
- Observed at: PATA, 15 nm away

## 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 20170215002929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170215002929A), Feb 15, 2017: Piper PA-22-160, Tanana, AK, Substantial damage. Ski equipped aircraft ran off hard pack landing area and impacted equipment off to the side.

## Other investigations on N72999 (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 ANC93LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA046), Mar 20, 1993: Piper PA-22 (N72999), Drift River, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOTS INADVERTENT VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE THE RISING TERRAIN AND THE WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 12, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94866. 1.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 817 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451047&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of Owner) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 249 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451048&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Owner)-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.