# Accident 20031212034509A: Piper PA32260, Larson Bay, AK, December 12, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 12, 2003, 14:00 local time
- Place: Larson Bay, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Scud Running
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: RI9A
- Location: 57.5000° N, 153.8833° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.5000&lon=-153.8833&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3983W, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3983W-2007-04-19) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32-260 (registry code 7103206, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32260
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 3,203 total, 1,257 in this make and model, 161 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC04LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA014) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031212034509A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) THIS WAS A FREIGHT ONLY FLIGHT TO LARSON BAY, KODIAK, ALASKA. WHILE EN ROUTE TO LARSON BAY FROM THE EAST SIDE OF THE ISLAN, ABOUT 10 MILES FROM LARSON BAY LOWERING VISIBLE AND CEILINGS WERE ENCOUNTERED. THE PILOT REPORTED DESCENDING TO 500 AGL AND CONTINUING TO PROCEED INTO LOWERING VISIBLE. THE PILOT REPORTED HEAVY SNOW AND BEING UNABLE TO MAINTAIN VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE GROUND. AT THIS POINT, HE ELECTED TO MAKE A 180 DEGREE TURN OUT OF THE BAD WEATHER. WHILE IN THE 180 DEGREE TURN, THE ENGINE STARTED TO DIE AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN THE WATER. THE PILOT STATED THE CARBURETOR ICE IN THE HEAVY SNOW WHICH MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO QUIT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC04LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA014), Dec 12, 2003: Piper PA-32-260 (N3983W), Larson Bay, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for an unknown reason while maneuvering, which resulted in the pilot ditching the airplane. Factors contributing to the accident were a low ceiling and a snow squall.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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