Piper PA-32 N4246T accident, Nunapitchuk, AK, Dec 31, 1982 · NTSB ANC83LA038

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

On ground/water encounter with terrain/waterTakeoff - roll/run

Unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selectedPilot in commandCause

Weather condition - crosswindFactor

Terrain condition - snowbankFactor

In flight collision with terrain/waterTakeoff - initial climb

Aborted takeoff - not performedPilot in commandFactor

Airspeed - not obtainedPilot in commandCause

Stall/mush - inadvertentPilot in command

Terrain condition - high vegetationFactor

Analysis

The aircraft was taking off from a frozen seaplane landing area when it struck several snow banks and crashed. The pilot stated that he had selected an area of ice, about 1100 ft long, and began taking off in an 8 kt crosswind with 6 passengers on board. Reportedly, the plane had traveled about 900 ft and had just attained flying speed when it hit the first of several drifts. After contacting about 4 drifts, the plane mushed (while in ground effect) and collided with brush. The computed takeoff distance at the maximum gross weight was 1100 ft in no wind conditions. The gross weight for this takeoff was not verified.

Aircraft

Registration: N4246T
Reported as: Piper PA-32
Category: Airplane
Serial number: 7240043
Airframe hours: 3,300
Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1AS, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Part 135
Operator: Delaire Charter Service
Registered owner: Dennis Gunder
Departed: 98Z · Nunapitchuk, AK
Destination: Bethel, AK
Flight plan: VFR
Airport: 98Z · Nunapitchuk

N4246TRegistration cancelled Oct 6, 1988 · Piper PA-32-300S/N 327240043 Airframe modelPiper PA-32-300

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 41
Certificate: Commercial
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Instrument ratings: Airplane
Medical: Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Flight hours: 3,000 total · 70 in this make and model · 150 in the last 90 days · 4 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: 360° at 8 knots
Visibility: 30 statute miles
Temperature: 50 °F

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Accident 19821231067479APiper PA32300 · Nunapitchuk, AKTried to takeoff from river ice in an area of 1100 feet. Slowed by snowdrifts, mushed into brush on shoreline.Dec 31, 1982 · N4246T · Substantial damage

Other investigations on N4246T · 3

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

NTSB ANC86LA054Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAtmautluak, AKThe air taxi pilot planned six hours of night flying with a five minute fuel reserve at his destination. When he saw that he would be unable to reach the destination, he diverted toward atmautlauk. However, the acft ran out of fuel as the plt was maneuvering…May 5, 1986 · Substantial damage NTSB ANC85LA077Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBethel, AKThe pilot reported that during the takeoff roll the aircraft could not obtain airspeed and the aircraft lost directional control striking a snow bank at the departure end of the runway.May 3, 1985 · Substantial damage NTSB ANC82DA019Accident · No injuriesFinal reportTuntutuliak, AKDuring takeoff on a runway covered with 7 to 8 inches of snow,the aircraft pulled to the right. The pilot reduced engine power,but was unable to maintain directional control. The aircraft veered off the side of the runway. Pilot reported snow removal…Jan 19, 1982 · Substantial damage