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June 29, 2004 · Piper PA-22-160 · N9038D

Beluga, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 29, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Beluga, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-160
Tail Number
N9038D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC04LA072

During the landing roll at a remote airstrip, the pilot reported the airplane had slowed to about 25 knots, when the left main wheel collided with large rocks lining the left side of the landing area. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing and propeller struck the ground. The left wing lift strut and wing were damaged, as were the propeller and fuselage. There were no known mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for landing, which resulted in an on ground encounter with rocks during the landing roll, and the collapse of the left main landing gear.

Full Narrative

On June 29, 2004, about 1530 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-22-160 airplane, N9038D, sustained substantial damage when its left main landing gear collided with rocks during the landing roll at the Beluga Lake airstrip, 35 miles northwest of Beluga, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal cross-country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airline transport pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. The flight originated at the Birchwood Airport, Birchwood, Alaska, about 1445. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on July 1, the pilot said during the landing roll the airplane had slowed to about 25 knots, when the left main wheel collided with large rocks lining the left side of the landing area. He said the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing and propeller struck the ground. The pilot said the left wing lift strut and left wing were damaged, as were the propeller and fuselage. He said there were no known mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 AKDT
Nearest AirportBeluga Lake (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22-160
Tail NumberN9038D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4G · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data