# NTSB ANC77FA090: Piper PA-31B, N103TA, Lke Minchumina, AK, September 24, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: September 24, 1977
- Place: Lke Minchumina, AK · LKE MINCHUMINA, AK
- Location: 63.8828° N, 152.3122° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lake Minchumina, AK, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.8828&lon=-152.3122&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 80049
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC77FA090
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77FA090

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4085  77/9/24    LKE MINCHUMINA,AK   PIPER PA-31B        CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1400                    N103TA              PX-  0  0  5  COMMUTER AIR CARRIER      35, 3160 TOTAL HOURS, 600
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG S-D        IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LAKE MINCHUMINA
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LKE MINCHUMINA,AK           FAIRBANKS,AK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           MISCELLANEOUS                                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           DITCHING                                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           AIRFRAME - FUSELAGE: DOORS,DOOR FRAMES
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: POORLY MAINTAINED RUNWAY SURFACE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
                                  PITCH CONTROL PROBLEM
                                  DOOR/PANEL OPEN
        REMARKS- NOSE BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT DOOR OPENED.UN MAINTAIN FLT.TKOF FRM GRAVEL RWY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N103TA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N103TA-1980-09-15), registration cancelled 1980-09-15, S/N 31-7405237, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31B
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Lake Minchumina

## 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 19770924041869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770924041869A), Sep 24, 1977: Piper PA31350, Lke Minchumina, AK, Destroyed. Nose baggage compartment door opened. Un maintain flt. Tkof frm gravel rwy.

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.

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