20180512005289A

Accident · Substantial damage

FAA accident report · Piper PA-28-180 · Whittier, AK · May 12, 2018

Date: May 12, 2018 · 09:30 local
Place: Whittier, AK
Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Damage: Substantial damage
Aircraft: N7061W
NTSB investigation: NTSBANC18FA036
Reported as: Piper PA-28-180
People aboard: 1
Fatal injuries: 1
Other injuries: 0
Pilot’s certificate: Student

N7061WRegistration cancelled Jan 28, 2019 · Piper PA-28-180S/N 28-813 · Built 1962 Airframe modelPiper PA-28-180 Engine modelLycoming O&VO-360 seriesReciprocating

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry 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.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

The student pilot was on a VFR flight plan from merrill field, AK. To valdez , AK. Via portage pass. Aircraft hit the mountain north of portage pass at approx. 2000 foot level. Weather reports indicate IMC conditions at his altitude.

As the FAA filed it

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON A VFR FLIGHT PLAN FROM MERRILL FIELD, AK. TO VALDEZ , AK. VIA PORTAGE PASS. AIRCRAFT HIT THE MOUNTAIN NORTH OF PORTAGE PASS AT APPROX. 2000 FOOT LEVEL. WEATHER REPORTS INDICATE IMC CONDITIONS AT HIS ALTITUDE.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB ANC18FA036Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportWhittier, AKThe student pilot's decision to depart and continue on a solo cross-country flight through mountainous terrain in marginal visual flight rules conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.May 12, 2018 · Substantial damage