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NTSB Report
September 21, 1991 · Piper PA-22-160 · N8143D
Stoney River, AK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 1991
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Location
Stoney River, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-160
Tail Number
N8143D
Operator
Daniel C Herman
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC91LA150
THE UNLICENSED PILOT STATED THAT AFTER MAKING A LOW PASS OVER A REMOTE HUNTING STRIP, HE ADDED POWER TO MAKE A GO-AROUND. THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE PITCHED UP STEEPLY, AND A CROSSWIND CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO TURN AND FLY INTO A CANYON. TO AVOID A STALL, HE REDUCED POWER AND PUSHED THE NOSE DOWN. HE THEN ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT WHICH PUSHED THE AIRPLANE DOWN INTO THE TREES. THE PILOT HAD PURCHASED THE AIRPLANE 2-3 DAYS PREVIOUSLY AND HAD ONLY ABOUT 6 HOURS IN THIS TYPE AIRPLANE. HE REPORTED HAVING A TOTAL OF 500 FLIGHT HOURS, OF WHICH ONLY 5 WERE WITH AN INSTRUCTOR. SEVERAL MODIFICATIONS HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON THE AIRPLANE, TWO OF WHICH WERE NOT APPROVED. THE PILOT SAID HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH SOME OF THE AIRPLANE'S UNUSUAL HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN A PROPER CLIMB. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPLANE, HIS INADEQUATE TRAINING IN THAT MODEL AIRPLANE, HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE, HIS INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, HIS OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS PERSONAL ABILITY, THE UNFAVORABLE WIND, AND THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
THE UNLICENSED PILOT STATED THAT AFTER MAKING A LOW PASS OVER A REMOTE HUNTING STRIP, HE ADDED POWER TO MAKE A GO-AROUND. THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE PITCHED UP STEEPLY, AND A CROSSWIND CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO TURN AND FLY INTO A CANYON. TO AVOID A STALL, HE REDUCED POWER AND PUSHED THE NOSE DOWN. HE THEN ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT WHICH PUSHED THE AIRPLANE DOWN INTO THE TREES. THE PILOT HAD PURCHASED THE AIRPLANE 2-3 DAYS PREVIOUSLY AND HAD ONLY ABOUT 6 HOURS IN THIS TYPE AIRPLANE. HE REPORTED HAVING A TOTAL OF 500 FLIGHT HOURS, OF WHICH ONLY 5 WERE WITH AN INSTRUCTOR. SEVERAL MODIFICATIONS HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON THE AIRPLANE, TWO OF WHICH WERE NOT APPROVED. THE PILOT SAID HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH SOME OF THE AIRPLANE'S UNUSUAL HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-22-160
Tail NumberN8143D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDaniel C Herman
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A3A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 15 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO