PIPER PA-22-160
Port Alsworth, AK — June 1, 2010
Event Information
| Date | June 1, 2010 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ANC10CA047 |
| Event ID | 20100601X33715 |
| Location | Port Alsworth, AK |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 60.40528, -153.81027 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | PA-22-160 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff and inability to abort the takeoff, resulting in an overrun into the water.
Full Narrative
The pilot was departing from a gravel bar (1,200 feet long as estimated by the pilot, sand and gravel) on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight when the accident occurred. He stated that prior to the takeoff he examined the gravel bar for the firmest ground for the takeoff roll. After the tail came up, during the takeoff roll, the pilot realized that he was not aligned along his intended takeoff path. The pilot was not able to abort the takeoff roll and rolled from the gravel bar to the water. The airplane came to rest in the water inverted resulting in substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot verified that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.