# NTSB ANC83LA021: Piper PA-34-200T, N8225Y, Gambell, AK, December 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 13, 1982
- Place: Gambell, AK
- Coordinates: 63.750556, -171.689041 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.7506&lon=-171.6890&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 13, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70805
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70805/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA021

## Analysis

ON 12/12/82, THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED ON A FLIGHT FROM SAVOONGA TO NOME, AK. AFTER DEPARTURE, THE PILOT NOTED A PROBLEM WITH THE LEFT ENGINE AND DIVERTED TO GAMBELL, AK. WHILE EN ROUTE TO GAMBELL, THERE WAS A GRADUAL LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. AFTER LANDING, THE PILOT NOTICED THE OIL FILLER CAP WAS MISSING AND FOUND NO OIL INDICATION OF THE DIPSTICK. A MECHANIC ADDED 7 QTS OF OIL. AN OIL CAP FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON THE OIL FILLER NECK AND SECURED WITH DUCT TAPE AND SAFETY WIRE. REPORTEDLY, THE ENGINE WAS OPERATIONALLY CHECKED AND NO DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED. THE PILOT TOOK OFF AND TRIED TO FILE AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN, BUT ENCOUNTERED FREEZING RAIN. HE DECIDED TO RETURN TO GAMBELL, AND WHILE RETURNING NOTICED THE LEFT ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WAS DROPPING. AFTER THE LEFT ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN, ICE BEGAN ACCUMULATING ON THE WINDSHIELD AND RIGHT WINDOWS. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN 25 DEG LEFT OF THE RUNWAY HEADING AND STRUCK A GRAVEL/SNOW BERM BESIDE THE RUNWAY. THE NO 1 CYLINDER HAD NO COMPRESSION, A HOLE WAS FOUND IN THE PISTON.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,piston - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - initiated, pilot in command
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - propeller feathering - initiated, pilot in command
  - anti-ice/deice system,windshield - inadequate
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8225Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8225Y-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N 348070250 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-8070250
- Airframe hours: 1787
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSI0360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Bering Air Inc.
- Registered owner: Gene K. Zerkel
- Departed: GAMBELL, AK
- Destination: C, NOME, AK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Gambell, runway 34, 4,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,102 total, 200 in this make and model, 2,980 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Temperature: 59 °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 19821213064489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821213064489A), Dec 13, 1982: Piper PA34200T, Gambell, AK, Substantial damage. After departure engine shut down for lack of oil pressure. Ice accumulation forced pilot to attempt landing.

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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