ANC00LA027

On February 9, 2000, about 1205 Alaska standard time, a Piper PA-31-T3 airplane, N110JK, sustained substantial damage while landing at Wales, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) scheduled domestic passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated as Flight 350 by Cape Symthe Air Service Inc., Barrow, Alaska. The airline transport certificated pilot, and one passenger received serious injuries. Seven passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Nome Airport, Nome, Alaska, at 1115.

The director of maintenance for the operator reported the airplane was landing on runway 35. A mechanic for the company traveled to the scene, and described impact marks beginning 1,200 feet from the approach end of runway 35. The mechanic said it appeared to him that the airplane struck the runway with the left wing and left elevator, with the airplane yawed about 45 degrees to the left of the runway centerline, and that the airplane then slid off the left side of the runway, through a snow berm, and came to rest about 200 feet to the left of the runway.

The director of maintenance said the weather conditions at Wales, reported by the Fairbanks, Alaska, Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) were: Wind, 180 degrees at 15 knots, gust to 20 knots; visibility, 10 miles; clouds and sky condition, 1,500 feet broken; temperature, 30 degrees F.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, Fairbanks Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), interviewed six of the passengers after their return to Nome. He said the passengers reported the flight arrived over Wales, and the airplane spiraled down through a hole in the clouds. Once below the cloud layer, the pilot began a landing approach. During the turn onto the final approach segment, the airplane began oscillating violently, rolling several times left and right, with the angle of bank near 90 degrees each time. The airplane then struck the runway.

In the Pilot/Operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) submitted by the company, the pilot included a statement. In his statement, the pilot said that during the approach for landing at Wales, he made three descending turns near the airport. Upon entering the downwind portion of the landing approach, the pilot said he noticed the wind sock at the airport was indicating a wind from the east about 25 knots. About mid-base, at 500 feet, the airplane encountered moderate turbulence and an increased rate of descent. He added engine power to arrest the descent. As the pilot turned toward the runway, the airplane encountered 3 to 4 rolling oscillations with a bank angle up to 90 degrees while descending toward the runway. The airplane collided with a snow berm along the west side of the runway. After the airplane came to a stop, the pilot said he evacuated the passengers, and noticed the wind sock had changed from a crosswind to a tailwind.

The airport at Wales is located along the west coast of the Seward Peninsula, next to the Bering Sea. Rising, hilly terrain is located east of the airport. Runway 35 at Wales is 4,000 feet long, and 75 feet wide. The runway surface was packed snow. The Airport/Facility Directory - Alaska Supplement, contains the following in the airport remarks: "Unattended. Easterly winds may cause severe turbulence in vicinity of runway. Runway conditions not monitored, recommend visual inspection prior to landing..."

The closest official weather observation station is Tin City Long Range Radar Station, which is located 5 nautical miles southeast of Wales. On February 9, 1999, at 1155, an automated weather observation system was reporting in part: Wind, 165 degrees (magnetic) at 15 knots; visibility, 2 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, 500 feet overcast; temperature, 26 degrees F; dew point, 24 degrees F; altimeter, 30.02 inHg.