# NTSB ANC86LA054: Piper PA-32-300, N4246T, Atmautluak, AK, May 5, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1986, 02:45 local (10:45 UTC)
- Place: Atmautluak, AK
- Coordinates: 60.810134, -161.84909 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8101&lon=-161.8491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4660
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4660/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA054

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE 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 WITH HIS LANDING LIGHT ON TO FIND THE RWY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING AT NIGHT.

## 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-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7240043
- Airframe hours: 6003
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Dennis L. Gunder
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 11, 1986, 98 hours before
- Departed: AK10, PILOT STATION, AK
- Destination: BET, BETHEL, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: 08AK, Atmautlauk

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 1,300 total, 800 in this make and model, 313 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19860505016239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860505016239A), May 5, 1986: Piper PA32300, Atmautluak, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft ran out of fuel and impacted the ground. Pilot failed to monitor fuel. Pilot second class medical expired.

## 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 ANC85LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA077), May 3, 1985: Piper PA-32 (N4246T), Bethel, 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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