# Accident 20230210001759A: Piper PA-32-260, Tok, AK, February 10, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 10, 2023, 17:00 local time
- Place: Tok, AK
- Airport: Tok
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 63.3301° N, 142.9616° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.3301&lon=-142.9616&mi=10
- Aircraft: N44782, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N44782) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32-260 (registry code 7103206, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,200 total, 260 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC23LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA021) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230210001759A

## Narrative

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

DURING THE APPROACH AT THE TOK, ALASKA AIRPORT RUNWAY 7, THE PILOT DECIDED TO PRACTICE A SHORT FIELD LANDING. AFTER PULLING THE POWER BACK, THE AIRSPEED DROPPED APPROXIMATELY 10 KNOTS BELOW THE RECCOMENDED APPROACH SPEED DURING A PRACTICE SHORT FIELD LANDING, RESULTING IN A HIGHER THAN ANTISIPATED SINK RATE. THE PILOT APPLIED POWER TO CORRECT THE SITUATION, BUT NOT ENOUGH. THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED INTO 3 FEET OF SNOW APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY RESULTING IN THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSING REARWARD AT APPROXIMATELY 60 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE UNHARMED.

## 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 ANC23LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA021), Feb 11, 2023: Piper PA-32-260 (N44782), Tok, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach glide path, which resulted in a hard landing, short of his anticipated touchdown point.

## Other reports on N44782 (2)

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

- [Incident 20040620013629I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040620013629I), Jun 20, 2004: Piper PA32260 (N44782), Minneapolis, MN, Minor damage. (-23) Aircraft landed on runway 14L and veered off the runway into the north side of the grass striking a runway light and causing minor damage to the left…
- [Incident 20000915029419I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000915029419I), Sep 15, 2000: Piper PA32260 (N44782), Minneapolis, MN, Minor damage. (-23)Aircraft struck a deer during landing roll out. Only damage reported was to the left wheel landing gear faring, wheel pant attachment plate, and the left…

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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