# Accident 20120625014389A: Piper PA-32-300, Gustavus, AK, June 25, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 25, 2012, 09:40 local time
- Place: Gustavus, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: YAXA
- Location: 58.3722° N, 135.6053° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.3722&lon=-135.6053&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8908N, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8908N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32-300 (registry code 7103212, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (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-32-300
- Reported engine: LYCOMING IO-540
- People aboard: 5
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC12LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12LA058) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120625014389A

## Narrative

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

ON JUNE 25, 2012, AT APPROXIMATELY 0940 LOCAL TIME, N8908N, A 1969 PIPER MODEL PA-32-300 CHEROKEE SIX AIRCRAFT OPERATED BY AIR EXCURSIONS, LLC (YAXA) OF GUSTAVUS, ALASKA, EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER IN FLIGHT. THE 14 CFR PART 135 SCHEDULED COMMUTER FLIGHT DEPARTED JUNEAU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (JNU) EN ROUTE TO GUSTAVUS AIRPORT (GUS) WITH THE PILOT AND FOUR PASSENGERS, WHEN, OVER ICY STRAIGHT IN THE VICINITY OF PORPOISE ISLAND, THE ENGINE STARTED VIBRATING AND STOPPED RUNNING.THE COMMERCIAL PILOT ELECTED TO EXECUTE AN ENGINE-OUT LANDING AT GOOSE POINT, PLEASANT ISLAND, ALASKA ON A STRETCH OF BEACH MADE AVAILABLE BY THE LOW TIDE. THE LANDING WAS UNEVENTFUL UNTIL THE NOSE WHEEL STRUCK A PARTIALLY BURIED ROCK IN THE SOFT BEACH SAND WHICH FAILED THE NOSE LANDING GEAR AFT.THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS WERE NOT INJURED AND WERE TRANSFERRED TO GUSTAVUS BY BOAT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS RECOVERED BY COASTAL HELICOPTERS AND SLING-LOADED TO GUSTAVUS. THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY TOOK PICTURES AT THE SCENE OF THE AIRCRAFT, ENGINE AND PROPELLER.LYCOMING AIRMELT CRANKSHAFT P/N 76763 S/N 51708 FAILED AND BROKE IN HALF AT THE COUNTERWEIGHTS. #6 CONNECTING ROD END-CAP STRUCK CAMSHAFT BETWEEN #6 INTAKE AND EXHAUST LOBES, FRACTURING CAMSHAFT RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE.

## 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 ANC12LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12LA058), Jun 25, 2012: Piper PA-32-300 (N8908N), Gustavus, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fatigue failure of the engine crankshaft for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident metallurgical examination.

## Other reports on N8908N (1)

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

- [Accident 19940507012669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940507012669A), May 7, 1994: Piper PA32300 (N8908N), Allakaket, AK, Substantial damage. Many runway lights not working. Landed on angle to runway. Ran off edge. Gear severed on unlit runway light.

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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