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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 2, 1995 · Piper PA-22-150 · N7597D

Nikiski, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 2, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Nikiski, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-150
Tail Number
N7597D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC95LA123

THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS LANDED AT A REMOTE AREA TO FISH. THE PILOT HAD LANDED AT THE ACCIDENT SITE ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS. THE LANDING AREA WAS SOFT AND MUDDY WITH HIGH GRASS. A LIGHT RAIN WAS FALLING IN THE AREA. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL FOR THE RETURN FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE ACCELERATED TO 60 MPH, BUT LIFTOFF WAS IMPEDED BY HIGH GRASS. THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, AND THE AIRPLANE TRAVELED BEYOND THE TAKEOFF AREA. THE NOSE GEAR THEN FAILED, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, AND HIS DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. THE SOFT TERRAIN AND HIGH GRASS WERE RELATED FACTORS.

Full Narrative

On August 1, 1995, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-22-150, N7597D, crashed during takeoff from a remote area at the mouth of the Kustatan River, about 18 miles west of Nikiski, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight to Anchorage, Alaska, when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by the pilot, received substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and 3 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that he landed earlier in the day in soft, muddy terrain to fish in the nearby Kustatan River. He had landed in the area on previous occasions. The pilot indicated that during the takeoff run, the airplane accelerated to 60 MPH but the liftoff was impeded by high grass. The pilot aborted the takeoff and the airplane traveled beyond the intended takeoff area. The nose gear then failed and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the nose gear and empennage. The pilot reported that light rain was falling in the area of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22-150
Tail NumberN7597D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 10 kt, gusting 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data