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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

October 12, 1992 · Piper PA-28-180 · N16275

Talkeetna, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 12, 1992
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Talkeetna, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N16275
Operator
Brewer Matthew J
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ANC93FA067

THE FLIGHT HAD DEPARTED FAIRBANKS ON A VFR FLIGHT PLAN WITH A DESTINATION OF ANCHORAGE. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT BOTH THE DEPARTURE POINT AND THE DESTINATION; HOWEVER, THERE WERE REPORTED AREAS OF INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS EN ROUTE. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO TREES 11 MI NORTH OF TALKEETNA. THE LEFT OUTBOARD 4 FT OF WING AND THE LEFT STABILATOR WERE LOCATED 3/8 MI WEST OF THE MAIN WRECKAGE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S CONTINUED VISUAL FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AT NIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRPLANE CONTROL, SPATIAL DISORIENTATION, AND AN INFLIGHT BREAKUP. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER AND THE DARK NIGHT.

Full Narrative

On October 11, 1992, at 2030 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper, PA 28 180 airplane, N16275, crashed into trees one mile east of mile marker 131 of the Parks Highway, which is located 11 miles north of Talkeetna, Alaska. The airplane was registered to H and H Air Services of Anchorage, Alaska, and was rented by the Pilot in Command. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, last departed Fairbanks, Alaska, at 1830 on a visual flight rules flight plan and the destination was Merrill Field in Anchorage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the departure point and the destination; however, there were reported areas of instrument meteorological conditions en route. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces, and the Pilot in Command and the three passengers were fatally injured. Preliminary examination of the wreckage shows that the left outboard 4 feet of wing and the left stabilator were located 3/8 of a mile west of the main airplane wreckage. This airplane was reported missing on October 11, 1992, at 2248 Alaska standard time and was located on May 22, 1993. The previous preliminary report number was ANC93FAMS2.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN16275
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBrewer Matthew J
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 23 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 21 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data