On October 10, 2005, a Piper PA-22 (registration N5947D) was involved in an aviation accident near Willow, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area, which resulted in an on ground encounter with a river during an aborted takeoff. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A private pilot aborted takeoff from an 800-foot gravel bar after hearing an unusual noise. The airplane could not stop before entering the river, nosed over, and sustained structural damage.
Incident Overview
A private pilot was conducting a departure under 14 CFR Part 91 from a gravel bar measuring 800 feet in length, located adjacent to a river. During the takeoff roll, as the airplane began to accelerate, the pilot heard an unusual noise and decided to abort the takeoff. He reported that he was unable to stop the airplane before it went into the river at the departure end of the site.
Sequence of Events
After entering the river, the airplane subsequently nosed over. The accident resulted in structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer.
Pilot Recommendations
In the recommendation portion of his written report submitted to the NTSB, the pilot noted: "Use longer gravel bar with no departure over water."