# NTSB ANC85LA084: Piper PA-32-300, N4080W, Naknek, AK, May 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1985, 11:03 local (19:03 UTC)
- Place: Naknek, AK
- Coordinates: 58.800903, -156.899383 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.8009&lon=-156.8994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (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): 4494
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4494/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA084

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - nacelle/pylon,fairing - separation
  - lubricating system,oil line - overload
  - fluid,oil - leak
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, other
  - emergency procedure - performed
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT ABOUT 2000 FT, THE TOP ENG COWLING CAME OFF, RUPTURING AN ENG OIL LINE & BREAKING A HOLE IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. OIL THEN COVERED THE WINDSHIELD. DUE TO THE LOSS OF OIL, THE PLT SHUT DOWN THE ENG & LANDED ON A BEACH. DURING THE LANDING ON SOFT TERRAIN, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. THE PLT SUSPECTED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT COWLING LATCH HAD FAILED. HE STATED THAT IT HAD HEEN REPLACED ABOUT 10 FLT HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. HE FURTHER STATED THAT HE HAD CONDUCTED A THOROUGH PREFLT & ALL FASTENERS WERE SECURED PRIOR TO THE FLT. HOWEVER, THE CONDITION OF THE FASTENER COULD NOT BE DETERMINED SINCE THE COWLING WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4080W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4080W), registered now, S/N 32-40125, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 40125
- Airframe hours: 4478
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Daniel J. O'Hara
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 1984, 78 hours before
- Departed: WSN, NAKNEK, AK
- Destination: DLG, DILLINGHAM, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,915 total, 7,900 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AKN, 25 nm away

## 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 19850514017049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850514017049A), May 14, 1985: Piper PA32300, Naknek, AK, Substantial damage. Top cowling came off rupturing oil line and breaking windshield. Nose gear collapsed during beach landing.

## Other investigations on N4080W (1)

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 LAX72FUJ40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72FUJ40), Sep 2, 1971: Piper PA-32 (N4080W), Nogales, AZ, 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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