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GAA16CA185

2016-04-06 · Palmer, Alaska, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Current FAA registration · N8842D

Make / Model
PIPER PA-22-160
Year of manufacture
1958 · 58 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19580303
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AC2F53

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, resulting in a runway over-run and collision with trees.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll on an off airport airstrip the airplane hit a soft spot, and he elected to abort the takeoff. He further reported that he was unable to stop prior to impacting a group of alder trees at the end of the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll on an off airport airstrip the airplane hit a soft spot, and he elected to abort the takeoff. He further reported that he was unable to stop prior to impacting a group of alder trees at the end of the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Soft surface-Decision related to condition - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Soft surface-Effect on operation - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Aircraft capability-Takeoff distance-Capability exceeded - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2016_GAA16CA185.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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