What happened
On January 31, 2026, at approximately 19:21 Alaska standard time, a Piper PA-22-150, registration N3263Z, was involved in an accident near Anchorage, Alaska. The flight originated from Kenai Municipal Airport (ENA) with the intention of landing at Merrill Field Airport (MRI). The flight was conducted under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) with a visibility of 10 statute miles and winds from 040 degrees at 3 knots.
After an uneventful flight from Kenai, the pilot and passenger parked the aircraft at the Merrill Field transient area and left the aircraft for dinner. Upon returning, the pilot performed an engine run-up at the parking area and taxied to Runway 34, receiving instructions for a Campbell Departure to the south.
Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft suffered a loss of engine power. The pilot attempted a right-banking turn to return to the runway environment, but the airplane struck the airport ramp. The aircraft came to rest on Taxiway Alpha, approximately 950 feet northeast of the departure end of Runway 34. The pilot was not injured, while the passenger sustained one serious injury.
The investigation
An investigator from the NTSB Alaska Regional Office examined the wreckage at the scene. The investigation revealed the following mechanical damage:
- The right aileron and the outboard right wing beyond the lift strut showed spanwise deformation from the impact.
- The right main landing gear collapsed and folded backward against the fuselage.
- The nose gear collapsed and folded laterally toward the left side of the fuselage.
- One propeller blade was curled backward and left witness marks on the left side of the engine cowling.
Airport security footage captured the taxi and takeoff roll, including audio of the engine sputtering and losing power. The power was momentarily restored before the impact occurred. An investigator also recovered a data card containing engine monitoring and flightpath data for further analysis.