# Accident 20120802018379A: Piper PA-32-301, Howard Bay, AK, August 2, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 2, 2012, 08:30 local time
- Place: Howard Bay, AK
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: YAXA
- Location: 58.2592° N, 135.1197° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.2592&lon=-135.1197&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8200M, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8200M-2018-02-23) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32-301 (registry code 7103207, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-540 series (registry code 41530, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301
- Reported engine: LYCOMING IO-540 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 3,700 total, 175 in this make and model, 160 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC12FA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12FA083) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120802018379A

## Narrative

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

ON AUGUST 2, 2012, AT APPROXIMATELY 1655Z, A PIPER PA-32-301 AIRCRAFT OPERATED BY AIR EXCURSIONS LLC OF GUSTAVUS, ALASKA WAS REPORTED OVERDUE BY COMPANY PERSONNEL. THE AIRCRAFT WAS THE SUBJECT OF AN ALNOT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING OPERATED AS A 14 CFR PART 135 CARGO FLIGHT AND DEPARTED JUNEAU, ALASKA FOR GUSTAVUS, AK. A COMPANY PILOT IN ANOTHER AIRCRAFT NOTED THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT, ALSO CAPSTONE EQUIPPED, DISAPPEARED FROM HIS DISPLAY IN THE VICINITY OF POINT HOWARD. WEATHER IN THE AREA WAS DESCRIBED AS MARGINAL WITH FOG OBSCURRING THE MOUNTAIN PEAKS. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED AT THE TOP OF A RIDGE WITH MAJOR PORTIONS OF THE AIRCRAFT SUSPENDED IN THE TREES. THE PILOT, WHO WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT, RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.

## 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 ANC12FA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12FA083), Aug 2, 2012: Piper PA-32-301 (N8200M), Hoonah, AK, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees and terrain while in cruise flight in marginal visual meteorological conditions.

## Other reports on N8200M (1)

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

- [Accident 19820906044119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820906044119A), Sep 6, 1982: Piper PA32301 (N8200M), Raton, NM, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted downwind takeoff which was required. Aircraft sank after initial lift off and departed runway.

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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