Piper PA-22 accident near Seward, Alaska, October 17, 1992
On October 17, 1992 at about 11:29 pm local time, a Piper PA-22, registered N1660A, was substantially damaged in an accident near Seward, Alaska (Seward airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON THE GROUND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING THE TAKEOFF CLIMB, HIS INADEQUATE TRAINING, HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE, AND THE DITCH.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 17, 1992 · about 11:29 pm local time
- Place
- Seward, Alaska · Seward · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-22 · all PA-22s on the register
- Registration
- N1660A · no longer on the register · serial 22-429
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A WITNESS TO THE ACCIDENT STATED THAT 'THE AIRPLANE TOOK OFF IN A VERY NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, QUIT FLYING, AND FELL TO THE GROUND.' THEN THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND CRASHED INTO A LARGE DITCH. THE UNLICENSED PILOT SAID HE COULD NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD NEVER HAD ANY OFFICIAL FLIGHT INSTRUCTION, BUT HAD FLOWN THREE TIMES WITH A FRIEND DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE PILOT ALSO SAID THIS WAS HIS SECOND SOLO FLIGHT.
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
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 30, 1980
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-290-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SWD at 6:29 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 5,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 37°F (3°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:50 pm from SWD, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.