# NTSB ANC83LA038: Piper PA-32, N4246T, Nunapitchuk, AK, December 31, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 31, 1982, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Nunapitchuk, AK
- Location: 60.8797° N, 162.4622° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Nunapitchuk, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8797&lon=-162.4622&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 31, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72060
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72060/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA038

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4246T-1988-10-06), registration cancelled 1988-10-06, S/N 327240043 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7240043
- Airframe hours: 3300
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19821231067479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821231067479A), Dec 31, 1982: Piper PA32300, Nunapitchuk, AK, Substantial damage. Tried to takeoff from river ice in an area of 1100 feet. Slowed by snowdrifts, mushed into brush on shoreline.

## Other investigations on N4246T (3)

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.

- [NTSB ANC86LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA054), May 5, 1986: Piper PA-32-300 (N4246T), Atmautluak, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC85LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA077), May 3, 1985: Piper PA-32 (N4246T), Bethel, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC82DA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DA019), Jan 19, 1982: Piper PA-32 (N4246T), Tuntutuliak, AK, substantial damage

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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