Piper PA22 accident near Homer, Alaska, September 14, 2020
On September 14, 2020, a 1953 Piper PA22, registered N8875C, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Homer, Alaska (Homer airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power during the initial climb due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was the corrosion of the fuel tank filler necks, which resulted in water intrusion into the fuel tanks.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 14, 2020
- Place
- Homer, Alaska · Homer · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA22 135, built 1953 · all PA22s on the register
- Registration
- N8875C · no longer on the register · serial 22-1486
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during the airplane’s initial climb, the engine experienced a total loss of power, and he performed a forced landing on a nearby beach. During the landing, the left wing struck the surface and the pilot lost control of the airplane, which sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot stated that the flight was the first since the airplane had an annual inspection performed, which was about 2 months before the accident. He also reported that there were heavy rain showers at the airport during the previous month, and the airplane had issues with water intrusion in the left fuel tank. The fuel tank cap gaskets had recently been replaced. During the preflight inspection, he sumped all the drains and removed about 1/2 inch of water from the left-wing tank drain. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed anomalies in the airframe fuel system. Specifically, the examination noted the presence of corroded fuel tank filler necks, a degraded gasket on the right fuel tank filler neck, and a 3-inch circumferential separation of the left fuel filler neck base from the fuel tank. A fuel sample from the engine carburetor bowl contained a mixture of water and fuel. Engine valve train and drive shaft continuity was established, and no anomalies were observed in the engine cylinders, induction system, and ignition system. Based on the pilot’s statements, the corroded condition of the fuel filler necks, the left fuel tank separation, and the presence of water in the carburetor, it is likely that the total loss of engine power was due to fuel contamination from rainwater intrusion into the fuel system. The pilot either did not completely drain water from the fuel tanks during the preflight inspection or was unable to access trapped water in the fuel tanks.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Fuel contamination during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel storage › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid condition
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,000 hours in all; 500 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 1,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,943.1 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 21, 2020; 1.1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,951 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-290-DZ (piston); 2,944 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HOM Homer AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 22, 6,701 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 3018.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from PAHO, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on November 11, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | NTSB Airframe and Engine Examination Summary | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photographs | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.