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NTSB Report
September 3, 1990 · Piper PA-31-325 · N59783
Kaltag, AK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 3, 1990
Injury Outcomes
10 injuries (3 fatalities, 6 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Location
Kaltag, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-31-325
Tail Number
N59783
Operator
Frontier Flying Service
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ANC90FA161
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE #2 ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AS HE WAS FLYING UNDER A LOW OVERCAST & ABOUT 500 FT ABOVE A RIVER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED & THE FUSELAGE & LEFT PROPELLER CONTACTED THE WATER. WITH THESE PROBLEMS & DECREASING VISIBILITY AHEAD, THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A 180 DEGREE TURN. HE SAID THAT ABOUT MIDWAY THROUGH THE TURN, THE #2 ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. THE AIRPLANE THEN CRASHED INTO TREES & WAS DESTROYED BY A POST-IMPACT FIRE. NO REASON WAS FOUND FOR EITHER ENGINE TO LOSE POWER BEFORE WATER OR TREE CONTACT.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE AFTER BECOMING DISTRACTED WITH AN ENGINE PROBLEM. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: LOSS OF POWER IN THE #2 ENGINE FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON AND THE LOW OVERCAST CONDITION.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE #2 ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AS HE WAS FLYING UNDER A LOW OVERCAST & ABOUT 500 FT ABOVE A RIVER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED & THE FUSELAGE & LEFT PROPELLER CONTACTED THE WATER. WITH THESE PROBLEMS & DECREASING VISIBILITY AHEAD, THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A 180 DEGREE TURN. HE SAID THAT ABOUT MIDWAY THROUGH THE TURN, THE #2 ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. THE AIRPLANE THEN CRASHED INTO TREES & WAS DESTROYED BY A POST-IMPACT FIRE. NO REASON WAS FOUND FOR EITHER ENGINE TO LOSE POWER BEFORE WATER OR TREE CONTACT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:20 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-31-325
Tail NumberN59783
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFrontier Flying Service
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-F2BD · Reciprocating · 325
Seats8
People & Injuries
Injury Summary10 injuries (3 fatalities, 6 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Fatal3
Serious6
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total10
Crew 1Age 34 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 5 kt, gusting 7 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO