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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

December 3, 1993 · Piper PA-32 · N38393

Napakiak, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 3, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Napakiak, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-32
Tail Number
N38393
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC94LA021

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE PERFORMING A 20 DEGREE LEFT BANKING TURN FROM BASE LEG TO THE FINAL APPROACH HEADING WITH FULL FLAPS THE STALL WARNING HORN CAME ON. WHILE IN THE TURN, THE PILOT RECALLED OBSERVING AN INDICATED AIRSPEED OF BETWEEN 50 AND 55 KNOTS AND THE PLANE'S ALTITUDE WAS FROM 50 TO 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE APPLIED FULL POWER AND MAINTAINED A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE IN AN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN AIRSPEED. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE SNOW COVERED TUNDRA APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER APPROACH AIRSPEED.

Full Narrative

On December 03, 1993, at 1627 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-32-300 airplane, N38393, operated by Kusko Aviation, Inc., collided with terrain during a visual approach to runway 34 at Napakiak, Alaska. The airline transport certificated pilot-in-command, the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 135 on demand cargo flight departed Bethel, Alaska at 1623 and the destination was Napakiak. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company VFR flight plan was in effect. The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge during a telephone interview that he departed Bethel with two hours and 45 minutes of fuel and approximately 50 pounds of freight in the form of clothing. While performing a dog leg pattern to runway 34 from the base leg to the final approach heading, the stall warning horn came on. At the time, the airplane was in a 20 degree left bank descending turn with full flaps. While in the turn, the pilot recalled observing an indicated airspeed of between 50 and 55 knots and the plane's altitude was between 50 and 100 feet above the ground. The pilot said that he applied full power and maintained a nose down attitude in an attempt to regain airspeed. The airplane collided with the snow covered tundra approximately 300 feet short of the runway. The pilot reported that the plane's exterior surfaces were clear of ice prior to departing Bethel, that no precipitation was encountered en route, and that he experienced no problems with the plane's engine or flight controls. He estimated the weather at Napakiak at the time of his approach to be 600 feet scattered, visibility 3 miles, with no wind.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:27 AKST
Nearest AirportNAPAKIAK (0nm)
Runway34
Runway Length2100 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32
Tail NumberN38393
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 8 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 2500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 9 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:36
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data