# NTSB ANC87FA067: Piper PA-31-350, N54265, Nightmute, AK, May 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1987, 14:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Nightmute, AK
- Coordinates: 60.489936, -164.810638 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.4899&lon=-164.8106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4773
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87FA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4773/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87FA067

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (cause)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A 350 FOOT HIGH HILL ALONG ITS ROUTE. THIS FLIGHT WAS A PART 135 ON-DEMAND AIR TAXI CARGO FLIGHT. SEVERAL OTHER AIR TAXI OPERATORS AND COMPANY AIRCRAFT ELECTED TO CANCEL THEIR FLIGHTS. BOTH GROUND REPORTS AND PILOT REPORTS STATED THE WEATHER IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT WAS CEILINGS BELOW 500 FEET AND VISIBILITY LESS THAN ONE MILE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N54265 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 317405213
- Airframe hours: 3750
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540-J2BD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Philip Bingman, doing business as Yute Air Service
- Registered owner: Yute Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 3, 1987, 12 hours before
- Departed: BET, BETHEL, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, private, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,040 total, 20 in this make and model, 6,531 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft
- Temperature: 30 °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 19870507014099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870507014099A), May 7, 1987: Piper PA31350, Nightmute, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Plane struck tundra while attempting VFR flight in IFR conditions. No record of weather brief. Possible whiteout.

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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