Piper PA22 N3604A

Summary

On 4 July 2020 at about 23:23 local time, a Piper PA22 registered N3604A was involved in an accident near Soldotna, Alaska, United States. One person was 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

4 July 2020 at 23:23

Classification

Accident

Location

Soldotna, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

60.4500, -150.9333

Aircraft

Piper PA22

Registration

N3604A

Category

Airplane

Year built

1953

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sterling → Homer

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC20LA064

Nobody was injured.

The delamination of the fabric material from the fuselage above the windscreen due to failed adhesive, which resulted in disrupted airflow and a subsequent hard landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

In cruise flight, the private pilot heard and felt a “pop” emit from the airplane. He immediately noticed the airplane descending but verified he still had elevator continuity. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot made an emergency landing on a nearby paved road; however, the airplane landed hard, and the main landing gear collapsed. Postaccident examination revealed control continuity, but it was noted that the adhesive adhering the fabric above the windscreen had separated. FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) 74-17-04 applies to certain Piper airplanes, including PA-22 series airplanes that are covered with cotton or linen, and was issued to prevent the sudden failure of the material at the top of the windshield by requiring the installation of a reinforcement metal strip. Because the accident airplane was covered in a heavy-duty polyester material, the hardware specified in the AD was not required for installation on the airframe nor was it installed. It is likely that the adhesive adhering the fabric above the windscreen delaminated and disrupted the airflow over the airplane. It was not determined why the adhesive failed/delaminated.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.