Piper PA22 N7056D

Summary

On 30 August 2019 at about 23:30 local time, a Piper PA22 registered N7056D was involved in an accident near Arctic Village, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 August 2019 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Arctic Village, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

68.0902, -145.5994

Aircraft

Piper PA22

Registration

N7056D

Category

Airplane

Year built

1957

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Central → Arctic Village

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC19CA057

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering to avoid mountainous terrain, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he was conducting a low-reconnaissance flight over a mountain ridgeline to determine its suitability as an off-airport landing site. The pilot stated that he was not paying attention to the airspeed as he completed the flyover and approached rising terrain. To avoid the rising terrain, he applied full power and turned left, but the right wing stalled while the airplane was about 20 ft above ground level, and then it struck terrain. The airplane cartwheeled, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.