Piper PA22 accident near Aleknagik, Alaska, August 30, 2024
On August 30, 2024 at about 3:00 am local time, a 1960 Piper PA22, registered N4NW, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Aleknagik, Alaska. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 30, 2024 · about 3:00 am local time
- Place
- Aleknagik, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA22 160, built 1960 · all PA22s on the register
- Registration
- N4NW · registry record · serial 22-7520
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- 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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 305 hours in all; 175 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 232 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 27, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,913 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 25, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 2,866 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 5A8 Aleknagik AK at 2:00 am
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 200 ft; clear
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observation at 6:04 am from PADL, 38 miles away
Weather report (METAR): PADL 291404Z AUTO 00000KT 3/4SM BR OVC002 09/09 A2980 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
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.