# Accident 20090219046769A: Piper PA-31-350, Nome, AK, February 19, 2009

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 19, 2009, 18:08 local time
- Place: Nome, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: FFSA
- Location: 64.5122° N, 165.4450° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.5122&lon=-165.4450&mi=10
- Aircraft: N41185, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41185-2010-12-27) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-31-350 (registry code 7103110, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming TI0-540 series (registry code 41533, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Reported engine: LYCOMING TI0-540 SER
- People aboard: 6
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 3
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport
- Pilot flight hours: 23,983 total, 0 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC09LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09LA021) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090219046769A

## Narrative

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

PTRS # AL01200901836PILOT EXPERIENCED CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN UNDER VFR FLIGHT PLAN.  THE PILOT WAS FLYING SOUTH EAST BOUND FROM BREVIG MISSION AIRPORT, ALASKA BETWEEN 1000 TO 2000 FEET UNDER AN OVERCAST LAYER. THE PILOT RECEIVED A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE TO NOME AIRPORT WITH A REPORTED VISIBILITY OF 1 1/2 MILES AND A 900 BROKEN LAYER OF CLOUDS IN LIGHT SNOW AND WHITEOUT CONDITIONS. A HILLSIDE RUNNING NORTH TO SOUTH PERPENDICULAR TO THE FLIGHT PATH WAS HIT FIRST. THIS HILL WAS AT 800 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL. THE SECOND HILL WAS AT 680 FEET WHERE THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN 3 TO 4 FEET OF SNOW.

## 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 ANC09LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09LA021), Feb 19, 2009: Piper PA-31-350 (N41185), Nome, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain while on approach in flat light conditions.

## Other reports on N41185 (4)

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

- [Incident 20080805843319I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080805843319I), Aug 5, 2008: Piper PA31350 (N41185), Kotzebue, AK, No damage. (-23) Birds struck during takeoff roll prior to rotation. No damage found.
- [Accident 20060708013899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060708013899A), Jul 8, 2006: Piper PA31350 (N41185), Fairbanks, AK, Minor damage. (-23) The pilot failed to verify that the landing gear had extended, which it had not, and consequently landed gear up. [privacy data omitted]
- [Accident 20040917024189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040917024189A), Sep 17, 2004: Piper PA31350 (N41185), Minchumina, AK, Minor damage. (-23) The airman stated that as he reached for the landing gear control to lower the gear he received a radio call requiring that he select the appropriate…
- [Accident 19940628018969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940628018969A), Jun 28, 1994: Piper PA31350 (N41185), Sheldon Point, AK, Substantial damage. Landed short of gravel strip. Gear hit runway raised lip. Marginal strip for PA31. Inadequate yellow marker cones.

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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