# NTSB ANC87IA032: Piper PA-31-350, N35232, Barter Island, AK, February 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1987, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Barter Island, AK
- Coordinates: 70.430526, -149.289352 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=70.4305&lon=-149.2894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4796
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87IA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4796/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87IA032

## Analysis

THE PILOT FLEW INTO RISING TERRAIN DURING A NIGHT VFR FLIGHT. AFTER SHUTTING DOWN THE RIGHT ENGINE AND ACHIEVING ONLY PARTIAL PROPELLER FEATHER HE ELECTED TO MAKE A GEAR UP LANDING. THE PLT WAS FLYING AT 500 FT AGL WHEN HE WANDERED FROM OVER WATER TO ON-SHORE AND HIS RT PROP HIT THE RISING SHORE. EXCESSIVE VIBRATION NECESSITATED AN ENG SHUT DOWN BUT THE PROP DID NOT FULLY FEATHER BEFORE THE ENG STOPPED. THE LANDING WAS UNEVENTFUL. THE PLT ACTIVATED THE ELT FOR RESCUE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - propeller control - disabled
  - propeller feathering - attempted
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35232](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35232-2003-02-04), registration cancelled 2003-02-04, S/N 31-7952119, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (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: 7952119
- Airframe hours: 7350
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Audi Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BTI, BARTER ISLAND, AK
- Destination: SCC, DEADHORSE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,057 total, 1,210 in this make and model, 7,780 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: -15 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19870204027399I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870204027399I), Feb 4, 1987: Piper PA31350, Kaktovik, AK, Minor damage. Right propeller contacted the ground en route. Aircraft would not remain airborne. Landed gear up.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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