Piper PA-22-160 N8635D

Summary

On 3 July 2012 at about 22:00 local time, a Piper PA-22-160 registered N8635D, operated by Chapman Harold J, was involved in an accident near McGrath, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 July 2012 at 22:00

Classification

Accident

Location

McGrath, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

62.9528, -155.6069

Aircraft

Piper PA-22-160

Registration

N8635D

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Chapman Harold J

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

McGrath → Nenana

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC12CA065

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s decision to load the airplane in excess of its takeoff capability given the runway conditions, which resulting in a collision with terrain during the initial climb.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was departing from a grass/turf runway with a passenger and cargo onboard. The airplane became airborne, but it did not climb. After clearing trees at the end of the site, the airplane settled to the ground and collided with terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot stated that he should have flown his cargo out first and then returned for his passenger. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.