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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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July 5, 1990 · Piper PA-28-180 · N6374J

Coldfoot, AK

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 5, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Coldfoot, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N6374J
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ANC90LA112

THE HEAVILY LOADED AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO TREES ABOUT 40 SECONDS AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A CLOSED DIRT STRIP. GUSTY AND VARIBLE WINDS WERE REPORTED BY WITNESSES. ENGINE TEARDOWN FOUND ALL CYLINDERS CORRODED AND PITTED, RINGS IMPROPERLY ALIGNED, AND VALVES LEAKING.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM WHICH THE AIRPLANE COULD NOT OVERCOME WITH POWER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HEAVILY LOADED AIRPLANE AND THE ENGINE NOT DEVELOPING FULL POWER DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE.

Full Narrative

THE HEAVILY LOADED AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO TREES ABOUT 40 SECONDS AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A CLOSED DIRT STRIP. GUSTY AND VARIBLE WINDS WERE REPORTED BY WITNESSES. ENGINE TEARDOWN FOUND ALL CYLINDERS CORRODED AND PITTED, RINGS IMPROPERLY ALIGNED, AND VALVES LEAKING.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:10 AKDT
Nearest AirportColdfoot Strip (0nm N)
Runway4
Runway Length2200 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN6374J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 15 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data