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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 10, 2009 · Piper PA-32-300 · N43551

Nunapitchuk, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 10, 2009
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Nunapitchuk, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-300
Tail Number
N43551
Operator
J P Air Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC09LA030

The solo commercial pilot was en route to a rural airport on a Title 14, CFR Part 135 air taxi flight with a load of cargo. During an interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on April 10, the pilot stated that the flight was without incident until he began the approach to land. He indicated he had difficulty finding the runway in reduced visibility due to blowing snow. He stated he prematurely slowed the airplane in preparation for landing, as he thought he was closer to the runway than he was. He said that due to his low altitude and the poor visibility, he overshot his turn from left base to final, and while attempting to correct and realign the airplane with the runway, the stall warning horn came on, and the airplane stalled, striking the left wing on terrain west of the runway. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane, and that he should have paid more attention to his altitude and airspeed.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On April 10, 2009, about 1045 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300 airplane, N43551, operated by JP Air, Bethel, Alaska, as an on-demand cargo flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain following a loss of control while on approach to the Nunapitchuk Airport, Nunapitchuk, Alaska. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions were reported in the general area, but the pilot stated that visibility was greatly reduced due to blowing snow. A company flight plan was in effect. The flight departed Bethel about 1030, en route to Nunapitchuk. During an interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on April 10, the pilot stated that he had approximately 770 pounds of mail aboard and the flight was without incident until he began the approach for runway 18 at Nunapitchuk. He indicated he had difficulty finding the runway in reduced visibility due to blowing snow. He stated he prematurely slowed the airplane in preparation for landing, as he thought he was closer to the runway than he was. He said that due to his low altitude and the poor visibility, he overshot his turn from left base to final, and while attempting to correct and realign the airplane with the runway, the stall warning horn came on, and the airplane stalled, striking the left wing on terrain west of the runway. The left wing separated from the fuselage, and the airplane slid down the runway a few hundred feet, before going off the east side. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane, and that he should have initiated a go-around instead of trying to salvage the landing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:45 AKDT
Nearest AirportNunapitchuk (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length2420 ft
Runway Width70 ft
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32-300
Tail NumberN43551
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJ P Air Service
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540 SER · Reciprocating · 310
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 12 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data