Probable cause
The pilot’s exceedance of the wing’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a stall and impact with terrain.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during approach to land on a snow-covered glacier, the airplane was “lower and slower” than his previous approaches to the glacier. He executed a go-around, the wind “shifted”, and the airplane stalled and impacted the terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing.
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC22LA027 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 25, 2022
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Chitina, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-20
- N-number
- N7074K
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1951
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.