N2163A

On June 30, 1998, about 1615 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-20 airplane, N2163A, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Soldotna Airport, Soldotna, Alaska. The private pilot/owner, and the one passenger aboard received minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91, personal flight departed the Soldotna Airport about 1430, and remained within the local traffic pattern. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.

During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on July 1, the pilot related that he and a friend were practicing touch-and-go landings. He said he thought the winds were fairly calm as he approached runway 25. While on final approach, he said the wind increased to an estimated 10 to 15 knots from the west, and a strong downdraft pushed the airplane into an area of high brush.

In his written statement dated July 27, 1998, the pilot reported that while practicing touch-and-go landings, and while the airplane was on final approach to runway 25, he stalled the airplane prematurely. The pilot indicated there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane.

The airplane collided with an area of high vegetation, and ultimately came to rest about 30 feet from the end of the runway. The airplane's wing lift struts, and fuselage sustained substantial damage.

The Soldotna Airport wind conditions at the time of the accident were reported to be 237 degrees (magnetic) at 7 knots.