# NTSB ANC88FA059: Piper PA-32-260, N897P, Skwentna, AK, May 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1988, 09:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Skwentna, AK
- Coordinates: 61.930664, -151.730819 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9307&lon=-151.7308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4953
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88FA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4953/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88FA059

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight weather advisories - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ON-DEMAND AIR TAXI FLIGHT WITH THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS STRUCK THE ROCK FACE OF A MOUNTAIN AT THE 8600 FOOT LEVEL. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE POOR AND VISIBILITY WAS LESS THAN ONE-HALF MILE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON A COMPANY VFR FLIGHT PLAN AND NO WEATHER BRIEFING WAS OBTAINED EITHER BY TELEPHONE OR RADIO IN FLIGHT. THE OPERATOR DID NOT FILE AN ACC REPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N897P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N897P-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 32-301, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32301
- Airframe hours: 1294
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Jay Hawk Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 2, 1988, 100 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: MLG, MCGRATH, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,120 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 34 °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 19880518014679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880518014679A), May 18, 1988: Piper PA32260, Skwentna, AK, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Aircraft flew into rock face of mountain. VFR flight in IFR conditions. Fog clouds and snow covered impact area.

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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