Piper PA-22 accident near Koliganek, Alaska, May 29, 1995
On May 29, 1995 at about 2:30 am local time, a Piper PA-22, registered N8021D, was substantially damaged in an accident near Koliganek, Alaska. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER APPROACH AND LANDING SPEED, NOT MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND HIS INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION(S). A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LOOSE OBJECTS IN THE LANDING AREA.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 29, 1995 · about 2:30 am local time
- Place
- Koliganek, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-22 · all PA-22s on the register
- Registration
- N8021D · registry record · serial 22-5546
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT STATED HIS APPROACH AND LANDING SPEED WAS TOO FAST AND THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED UPON TOUCHDOWN. WHEN IT TOUCHED DOWN A SECOND TIME THE LEFT MAIN GEAR STRUCK A SMALL PILE OF SAND AND STICKS. TO REGAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL THE PILOT ADDED FULL POWER. HE STATED HE HAD INSUFFICIENT ROOM IN WHICH TO STOP THE AIRPLANE SO HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND CLIMB OUT. THE AIRPLANE'S MAIN GEAR STRUCK SOME BRUSH LOCATED 75 FEET PAST THE DEPARTURE END OF THE LANDING/TAKEOFF AREA. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER INTO THE MULCHATNA RIVER.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 220 hours in all; 80 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 15, 1994; 80 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots, gusting 7
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,500 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.