# Accident 20061214027569A: Piper PA32301, Port Heiden, AK, December 14, 2006

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 14, 2006, 18:30 local time
- Place: Port Heiden, AK
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: PNSA
- Location: 57.1764° N, 158.4167° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.1764&lon=-158.4167&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8361Q, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8361Q-2009-06-15) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32-301 (registry code 7103207, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32301
- Reported engine: LYC IO540K1G5
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Pilot flight hours: 2,900 total, 55 in this make and model, 230 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC07FA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07FA007) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061214027569A

## Narrative

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

(-23) PENAIR FLIGHT 842 LEFT PORT HEIDEN APPROX 18:05 ENROUTE TO KING SALMON, ALASKA (AKN). FLIGHT WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO DEPART AROUND 14:30. REPORTS INDICATE TAKEOFF WAS AFTER DARK. PILOT CALLED COMPANY TO REPORT DEPARTURE SHORTLY AFTER TAKE OFF. WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED 16.1 MILES FROM PORT HEIDEN BELOW AIRWAY TO AKN. WRECKAGE INDICATES HIGH SPEED IMPACT WITH GROUND. WRECKAGE PATH GREATER THAN 600 FEET BEYOND LARGE IMPACT CRATER. INSPECTION OF WRECKAGE INDICATES LEFT WING AND LEFT SIDE OF FUSELAGE STRUCK GROUND FIRST AT HIGH RATE OF DESCENT. DIRECTION OF DEBRIS FIELD WAS APPROX 120 DEGREES FROM PLANNED COURSE LINE (240 DEGREES COUNTER CLOCKWISE FROM COURSE LINE IF AIRCRAFT WAS IN A LEFT TURN UPON IMPACT).

## 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 ANC07FA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07FA007), Dec 14, 2006: Piper PA-32-301 (N8361Q), Port Heiden, AK, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during cruise flight, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent, and an in-flight collision with snow-covered terrain. Contributing to the…

## Other reports on N8361Q (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20000520017659I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000520017659I), May 20, 2000: Piper PA32301 (N8361Q), South Naknek, AK, Minor damage. (-23)Pilot taxied out to runway 12/30 with intent to back taxi for take-offon runway 30. Forward visibility was reduced due to moisture on inside of window,…
- [Incident 19960413045809I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960413045809I), Apr 13, 1996: Piper PA32301 (N8361Q), Dillingham, AK, Minor damage. Narrative: during taxi from ramp area this a/c hit another parked aircraft wingtip to wingtip. Minor damage. Because passengers were on board the FAA considers…

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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