# Accident 20111215028159A: Piper PA-31-350, Hughes, AK, December 15, 2011

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 15, 2011, 12:16 local time
- Place: Hughes, AK
- Airport: Hughes Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Taxi
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: HYTA
- Location: 66.0392° N, 154.2814° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=66.0392&lon=-154.2814&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9FW, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9FW) (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: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 26,600 total, 7,000 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC12CA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA015) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111215028159A

## Narrative

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

PILOT STATED AFTER LANDING IN HUGHES, THE VILLAGERS COME OUT TO THE PLANE AND EVERYONE HELPS UNLOAD AS USUAL. ONE SUITCASE WAS UNINTENTIONALLY LEFT IN FRONT OF THE LEFT ENGINE AFTER UNLOADING IT FROM THE NOSE BAGGAGE. COMPANY DOES HAVE AN AGENT IN HUGHES, HUGH BIFELT. PILOT SAID IT WAS DARK AND VERY WINDY AND HE DIDN'T SEE THE SUITCASE AND RAN INTO IT WITH THE LEFT PROPELLER AND IT FLIPPED THE SUITCASE UP AND INTO THE NOSECONE OF THE AIRCRAFT. THIS IS AN ISOLATED AND UNUSUAL EVENT.REFERENCE 201201034. PILOT WAS COUNSELED. DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS SENT MEMO AND COMPANY BRIEFING.

## 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 ANC12CA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA015), Dec 15, 2011: Piper PA-31-350 (N9FW), Hughes, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot did not clear the area surrounding the airplane prior to taxi, resulting in the airplane contacting a piece of baggage.

## Other reports on N9FW (2)

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

- [Accident 20240804009539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240804009539A), Aug 4, 2024: Piper PA-31-350 (N9FW), Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Air traffic control requested the pilot make a short approach to runway 2R at Fairbanks International Airport. It was dark and late in the day making the…
- [Incident 19890407018609I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890407018609I), Apr 7, 1989: Piper PA31350 (N9FW), Venetie, AK. On landing roll a snow machine drove onto runway in front of aircraft. Pilot took successfull evasive action.

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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