NTSB ANC24LA083 — 2024-08-29 · Aleknagik, Alaska, United States

Current FAA registration · N4NW

Make / Model: PIPER PA-22-160
Year of manufacture: 1960 · 64 years old at event
Engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines: 4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19600527
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S A4A930

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N4NW Piper PA22 None

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, while conducting a low altitude pass over an off-airport site with a 5 to 7 mph tailwind in his tailwheel-equipped airplane, the landing gear contacted a patch of alder brush. The airplane subsequently came to rest in an area of tall brush, both wings, lift struts and empennage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

— Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Climb rate-Not attained/maintained
— Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Pilot
— Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Contributed to outcome

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2024_ANC24LA083.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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