# NTSB ANC85LA077: Piper PA-32, N4246T, Bethel, AK, May 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1985, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Bethel, AK
- Coordinates: 60.809398, -161.850845 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8094&lon=-161.8508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4489
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4489/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA077

## 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
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE 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.

## 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: 327240043
- Airframe hours: 136
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Delaire Charter Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 10, 1984, 98 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Z59, Bethel Seaplane, runway 9, 3,000 × 150 ft, ice

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 633 total, 4 in this make and model, 440 as pilot in command, 265 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850503017119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850503017119A), May 3, 1985: Piper PA32300, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. Lost control attempting takeoff from slushy river strip after striking snowbank on departure end of runway.

## 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 ANC83LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA038), Dec 31, 1982: Piper PA-32 (N4246T), Nunapitchuk, 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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