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NTSB Report

May 3, 2001 · Piper PA-32-300 · N4089W

Chefornak, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 3, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Chefornak, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-300
Tail Number
N4089W
Operator
Bellair
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC01LA053

The commercial air taxi pilot related he was attempting to land on a gravel runway in a direct crosswind of approximately 15 knots. During the final approach to land, he said the airplane stalled, and landed hard. The airplane went off the side of the runway and received substantial damage. The pilot indicated there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadvertent stall/mush during the final phase of the landing approach. A factor associated with the accident is a crosswind.

Full Narrative

On May 3, 2001, about 1050 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Piper PA-32-300 airplane, N4089W, operated under 14 CFR Part 135 as an on-demand cargo flight by Bellair, Inc., received substantial damage while landing at the Chefornak Airport, Chefornak, Alaska. The solo commercial-certificated pilot was not injured. The flight operated in visual meteorological conditions, and a VFR and company flight plan were in effect. The flight departed Bethel, Alaska, about 1000, en route to Chefornak. During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on May 3, the pilot of the accident airplane related that he departed Bethel with 1,000 pounds of U.S. mail for Chefornak. It was his intent to deposit the mail at Chefornak, and return to Bethel. He said the flight to Chefornak was uneventful. He elected to land on runway 34, and noted the surface wind was nearly a direct crosswind from the west, at 10-15 miles per hour. As he approached the landing threshold, he said his indicated airspeed was about 80 miles per hour, when the airplane suddenly stalled, landed hard, and bounced off the right side of the runway. The pilot said the airplane received substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. He also said there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:50 AKDT
Nearest AirportChefornak (0nm)
Runway34
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width25 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32-300
Tail NumberN4089W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBellair
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 15 kt, gusting 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 1500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data