# NTSB ANC85LA176: Piper PA-32-300, N8981N, Togiak, AK, September 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1985, 11:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Togiak, AK
- Coordinates: 59.209911, -160.539413 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.2099&lon=-160.5394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4564
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4564/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA176

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - hazardous weather advisory - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACFT CRASHED ON MOUNTAINSIDE AFTER WX WORSENED.  MARGINAL WX HAD BEEN FORECAST & PIREP ADVISED PLT THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8981N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-40865
- Airframe hours: 4450
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-51A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Yute Air Alaska, Inc.
- Registered owner: Yute Air Alaska, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 10, 1985, 5 hours before
- Departed: TOG, TOGIAK, AK
- Destination: DLG, DILLINGHAM, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 250 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DLG, 35 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 19850914047169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850914047169A), Sep 14, 1985: Piper PA32300, Togiak, AK, Substantial damage. Struck mountain at the 500 foot level. IFR conditions existed and aircraft was reported to be in fog before impact.

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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