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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 26, 1996 · Piper PA-22/20 · N7431D

Kasilof, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 26, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Kasilof, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-22/20
Tail Number
N7431D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC97LA006

The pilot was conducting touch-and-go operations on a frozen lake adjacent to his property. A small frozen mound of dirt was located at the approach end of the lake. The pilot indicated that he was concerned about stopping on the frozen surface of the lake, and his approach path to the lake was a little low. The right main landing gear struck the mound of dirt before touchdown and was folded back against the fuselage. The airplane then contacted the surface of the lake and received damage to the right main landing gear, propeller, and the spar and outboard ribs of the right wing.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude on final approach to land, which resulted in an undershoot and collision with a dirt bank before reaching the proper touchdown point. A factor related to the accident was: the proximity of the frozen dirt bank at the approach end of the intended point of landing.

Full Narrative

On October 26, 1996, about 1400 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-22/20, N7431D, collided with terrain at a frozen lake near Kasilof, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. On October 31, 1996, at 0900, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) that he was conducting touch and go operations on a frozen lake adjacent to his property. The lake is oriented on a north/south direction and he was landing toward the north. It is about 1,200 feet long and about 40 feet wide. A small frozen mound of dirt is located at the approach end of the lake. The pilot indicated that he was concerned about stopping on the frozen surface of the lake and his approach path to the lake was a little low. The right main landing gear struck the mound of dirt before touchdown and was folded back against the fuselage. The airplane then contacted the surface of the lake and received damage to the right main landing gear, propeller, and the spar and outboard ribs of the right wing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22/20
Tail NumberN7431D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 5 kt
Visibility70 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 7 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data