Piper PA-22 accident near Healy Lake, Alaska, October 3, 1988
On October 3, 1988 at about 2:40 am local time, a Piper PA-22, registered N3421A, was substantially damaged in an accident near Healy Lake, Alaska (Healy Lake airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 3, 1988 · about 2:40 am local time
- Place
- Healy Lake, Alaska · Healy Lake
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-22 · all PA-22s on the register
- Registration
- N3421A · no longer on the register · serial 22-1608
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
AFTER WAITING FOR MORE FAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS, THE STUDENT PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER ATTEMPTED A DEPARTURE FROM A DIRT STRIP SURROUNDED BY TREES. THE NON-RATED PASSENGER STATED THAT 'AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE AND CLIMBING SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE TREETOPS, IT FELT LIKE I WAS IN AN ELEVATOR AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO HIT THE TOPS OF THE TREES...'. WITNESSES INDICATED THAT THE WINDS WERE OUT OF THE SOUTH-SOUTHEAST AT 35 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 40 KNOTS.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 50 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 50 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 2,800 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 35 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 36°F (2°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket 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.