Piper PA-22 N1724P

Summary

On 5 June 2000 at about 20:00 local time, a Piper PA-22 registered N1724P, operated by Richard Lach, was involved in an accident near Gakona, Alaska, United States. One person was 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

5 June 2000 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Gakona, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Gulkana (GKN)

Coordinates

62.8293, -143.4308

Aircraft

Piper PA-22

Registration

N1724P

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Richard Lach

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gakona → Chistochina

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC00LA064

1 person had minor injuries.

The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot said that immediately after takeoff, about 200 feet above the ground, the engine lost total power. He said he prepared to land on the highway, but the presence of an automobile made him land off the side of the road. The airplane went into a ditch, the right landing gear separated from the airplane, and the empennage and left horizontal stabilizer were damaged. Postaccident inspection by an Alaska State Trooper revealed fuel in both wing tanks. No anomalies were noted with the engine during a subsequent inspection by an FAA airworthiness inspector, and an independent mechanic. According to the FAA inspector, the pilot did not remember which fuel tank was selected during takeoff, but believed it was the right tank. There is a placard in the airplane which states 'Right tank only in level flight when less than 1/3 full.' During a telephone interview with the NTSB IIC, and in his NTSB Pilot/Operator report, the pilot stated he was positive that he took off with the fuel selector valve in the left tank position.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.