Piper PA-22-150 Tri-Pacer, N3263Z, accident occurred on February 1, 2026, at Anchorage-Merrill Field (MRI/PAMR), Anchorage, Alaska

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N3263Z

- History of Flight:
On February 1, 2026, at about 1921 local time, a privately-registered Piper PA-22-150 Tri-Pacer, N3263Z, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at Merrill Field (MRI/PAMR), Anchorage, Alaskas. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries.

The FAA reported: "Aircraft departed, while in a climbing turn, descended and made a hard landing on a taxiway." NTSB Alaska Chief Clint Johnson reported: "the Piper PA 22 was taking off from Runway 3-4 when the pilot reported a loss of engine power. The pilot made a right descending turn and crashed onto another taxiway." 

ADS-B data show that the airplane departed runway 34, entered a climbing right turn to an altitude of 425 ft before descending towards one of the taxiways (see figure).

Figure 1: Flight as seen on ADS-B exchange

Figure 2: ADS-B exchange data ran through Google Earth

- Weather:

METAR PAMR 020353Z 00000KT 10SM OVC070 M03/M06 A2949 RMK AO2 SLP989 T10281061

METAR PAMR 020453Z 00000KT 10SM BKN060 OVC100 M04/M06 A2949 RMK AO2 SLP990 T10391061