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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 5, 1985 · Piper PA-30 · N7811Y

Kodiak, AK

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 5, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Kodiak, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-30
Tail Number
N7811Y
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ANC85FA146

During a WX briefing at 0719 ADT, the PLT was advised that VFR FLT was not recommended. Later, at 0827, he called the FSS to update his WX & filed an IFR clearance. At 0938, the ACFT departed Anchorage. During arrival at Kodiak, the ACFT was cleared for an ILS/DME-ONE APCH to RWY 25. At 1056, the PLT reported he was 8.5 DME mi north of Kodiak & level at 1600 ft. Shortly after that, radio contact was lost & the ELT sounded. Later, the ACFT was found where it collided with a mountain side at an elevation of 1450 ft. The crash site was located aprx 5 mi north of the ARPT, outside of an area where the instrument APCH would have taken the ACFT. The 1057 WX observation at the ARPT was in part: 1000 ft scattered, 3500 ft overcast, visibility 10 mi. The ARPT elev was 73 ft MSL. The WX in the mountains where the plane crashed was not verified. This was the PLT's 1st APCH to this ARPT. Radar svc was not available. The PLT's log book was not found. Reportedly, he had not flown many recent APCHs & was use to having radar assistance.

Full Narrative

DURING A WX BRIEFING AT 0719 ADT, THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. LATER, AT 0827. HE CALLED THE FSS TO UPDATE HIS WX & FILED AN IFR CLEARANCE. AT 0938, THE ACFT DEPARTED ANCHORAGE. DURING ARRIVAL AT KODIAK, THE ACFT WAS CLEARED FOR AN ILS/DME-ONE APCH TO RWY 25. AT 1056, THE PLT REPORTED HE WAS 8.5 DME MI NORTH OF KODIAK & LEVEL AT 1600 FT. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, RADIO CONTACT WAS LOST & THE ELT SOUNDED. LATER, THE ACFT WAS FOUND WHERE IT COLLIDED WITH A MOUNTAIN SIDE AT AN ELEVATION OF 1450 FT. THE CRASH SITE WAS LOCATED APRX 5 MI NORTH OF THE ARPT, OUTSIDE OF AN AREA WHERE THE INSTRUMENT APCH WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE ACFT. THE 1057 WX OBSERVATION AT THE ARPT WAS IN PART: 1000 FT SCATTERED, 3500 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 10 MI. THE ARPT ELEV WAS 73 FT MSL. THE WX IN THE MOUNTAINS WHERE THE PLANE CRASHED WAS NOT VERIFIED. THIS WAS THE PLT'S 1ST APCH TO THIS ARPT. RADAR SVC WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE PLT'S LOG BOOK WAS NOT FOUND. REPORTEDLY, HE HAD NOT FLOWN MANY RECENT APCHS & WAS USE TO HAVING RADAR ASSISTANCE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 AKDT
Nearest AirportKODIAK (5nm NNW)
Runway25
Runway Length7548 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-30
Tail NumberN7811Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-320-B1A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 50
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time13:57
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data