# Accident 20250624014889A: Piper PA-32R-300, Big Lake, AK, June 24, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 24, 2025, 09:36 local time
- Place: Big Lake, AK
- Airport: Big Lake
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.5352° N, 149.8071° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5352&lon=-149.8071&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3609Q, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3609Q) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32R-300 (registry code 7103213, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-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-32R-300
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 11,030 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC25LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA055) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250624014889A

## Narrative

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

ON JUNE 24, 2025, ABOUT 0934 ALASKA DAYLIGHT TIME, A PIPER PA-32R-300 AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED WHEN IT WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT NEAR BIG LAKE, ALASKA. THE PILOT AND FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE AIRPLANE WAS OPERATED AS A TITLE 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 91 INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT.

THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED FROM THE PALMER MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (PAQ) AT ABOUT 0900 ON A TRAINING FLIGHT WITH ABOUT 60 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD. A WITNESS AT THE BIG LAKE AIRPORT (BGQ) REPORTED SEEING THE AIRPLANE OVER THE TREES ON THE SOUTH END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE MADE A SHARP LEFT TURN TOWARDS THE RUNWAY IMPACTING THE GROUND JUST NORTH OF THE RUNWAY.

## 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 ANC25LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA055), Jun 24, 2025: Piper PA-32R-300 (N3609Q), Big Lake, AK, substantial damage, investigation ongoing

## Other reports on N3609Q (2)

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

- [Accident 19970512010249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970512010249A), May 12, 1997: Piper PA32R300 (N3609Q), Burbank, CA, Substantial damage. Upper engine cowl came off in flight. Lodged on tail section. Fell off landing. Maintenance failed secure cowling.
- [Incident 19901006058789I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901006058789I), Oct 6, 1990: Piper PA32R300 (N3609Q), Van Nuys, CA, Minor damage. Gear unsafe light remained illuminated on climb. Returned. Landed gear up.

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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