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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 28, 1999 · Piper PA-32-300 · N31606

Russian Mission, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 28, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Russian Mission, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-300
Tail Number
N31606
Operator
Tanana Air Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC00LA009

The commercial certificated pilot was conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) scheduled flight to a remote village. During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the director of operations for the company said that during the final approach phase for landing, the pilot reported he appeared to be slow and added power, but the airplane stalled about 15 feet above the ground. The main landing gear struck a berm at the approach end of the runway. The right main landing gear was sheared off. The left main gear axle was fractured. The right wing tip was damaged, and fuel was leaking from the right auxiliary fuel tank. Following the accident, the director of operations for the company flew to the accident site. He said that he encountered isolated snow showers while en route. When he examined the accident airplane, he said he noticed a trace of ice on the airplane elevator. In the Pilot/Operator report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) submitted by the operator, the pilot indicated that he flew through a large shower and collected ice on the airplane. On the approach to the airport, the pilot indicated his airspeed was 70 knots, and the airplane was performing normally until it suddenly lost altitude.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather, and an inadvertent stall. Factors in the accident were adverse weather consisting of icing conditions, and airframe icing.

Full Narrative

On October 28, 1999, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-32-300 airplane, N31606, sustained substantial damage during landing at the Russian Mission Airport, Russian Mission, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) scheduled flight under Title 14 CFR, Part 135 when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Bidzy Ta Hot Aana Inc., doing business as Tanana Air Service, Fairbanks, Alaska, as Flight 2250X. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Aniak Airport, Aniak, Alaska, about 1430. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on October 29, 1999, the director of operations for the company reported the pilot was flying an extra section to Flight 2250, and was carrying U.S. mail. The pilot was in the final approach phase for landing on runway 35 at Russian Mission. The pilot reported that he appeared to be slow and added power, but the airplane stalled about 15 feet above the ground. The main landing gear struck a berm at the approach end of the runway. The right main landing gear was sheared off. The left main gear axle was fractured. The right wing tip was damaged, and fuel was leaking from the right auxiliary fuel tank. Following the accident, the director of operations for the company flew to Russian Mission. He said that he encountered isolated snow showers while en route. When he examined the accident airplane, he said he noticed a trace of ice on the airplane elevator. In the Pilot/Operator report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) submitted by the operator, the pilot indicated that en route to Russian Mission, he flew through a large shower and collected ice on the airplane. On the approach to the airport, the pilot indicated his airspeed was 70 knots, and the airplane was performing normally until it suddenly lost altitude.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 AKDT
Nearest AirportRussian Mission (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length2700 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32-300
Tail NumberN31606
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTanana Air Service
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-KIA5D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind315° @ 8 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point18 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data