# NTSB ANC00LA009: Piper PA-32-300, N31606, Russian Mission, AK, October 28, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 28, 1999, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Russian Mission, AK - Coordinates: 61.810211, -161.440139 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8102&lon=-161.4401&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 47766 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47766/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA009 ## Probable cause The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather, and an inadvertent stall. Factors in the accident were adverse weather consisting of icing conditions, and airframe icing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor) - flight into adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause) - airframe - ice (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - snow covered ## Analysis The commercial certificated pilot was conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) scheduled flight to a remote village. During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the director of operations for the company said that during the final approach phase for landing, the pilot reported he appeared to be slow and added power, but the airplane stalled about 15 feet above the ground. The main landing gear struck a berm at the approach end of the runway. The right main landing gear was sheared off. The left main gear axle was fractured. The right wing tip was damaged, and fuel was leaking from the right auxiliary fuel tank. Following the accident, the director of operations for the company flew to the accident site. He said that he encountered isolated snow showers while en route. When he examined the accident airplane, he said he noticed a trace of ice on the airplane elevator. In the Pilot/Operator report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) submitted by the operator, the pilot indicated that he flew through a large shower and collected ice on the airplane. On the approach to the airport, the pilot indicated his airspeed was 70 knots, and the airplane was performing normally until it suddenly lost altitude. ## Factual narrative On October 28, 1999, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-32-300 airplane, N31606, sustained substantial damage during landing at the Russian Mission Airport, Russian Mission, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) scheduled flight under Title 14 CFR, Part 135 when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Bidzy Ta Hot Aana Inc., doing business as Tanana Air Service, Fairbanks, Alaska, as Flight 2250X. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Aniak Airport, Aniak, Alaska, about 1430. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on October 29, 1999, the director of operations for the company reported the pilot was flying an extra section to Flight 2250, and was carrying U.S. mail. The pilot was in the final approach phase for landing on runway 35 at Russian Mission. The pilot reported that he appeared to be slow and added power, but the airplane stalled about 15 feet above the ground. The main landing gear struck a berm at the approach end of the runway. The right main landing gear was sheared off. The left main gear axle was fractured. The right wing tip was damaged, and fuel was leaking from the right auxiliary fuel tank. Following the accident, the director of operations for the company flew to Russian Mission. He said that he encountered isolated snow showers while en route. When he examined the accident airplane, he said he noticed a trace of ice on the airplane elevator. In the Pilot/Operator report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) submitted by the operator, the pilot indicated that en route to Russian Mission, he flew through a large shower and collected ice on the airplane. On the approach to the airport, the pilot indicated his airspeed was 70 knots, and the airplane was performing normally until it suddenly lost altitude. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N31606](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31606-2021-07-03), registration cancelled 2021-07-03, S/N 32-7840137, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-780137 - Airframe hours: 14011 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-KIA5D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Bidzy Ta Hot Aana Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 19, 1999, 82 hours before - Departed: PANI, ANIAK, AK - Destination: RSH - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: RSH, Russian Mission, runway 35, 2,700 × 50 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,335 total, 2,900 in this make and model, 304 in the last 90 days, 113 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 315° at 8 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 18 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19991028032129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991028032129A), Oct 28, 1999: Piper PA32300, Russian Mission, AK, Substantial damage. (.19) On October 28, 1999, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-32-300 airplane, N31606, sustained substantial damage during landing at… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.