# NTSB ANC88LA014: Piper PA32, N2585M, Larsen Bay, AK, October 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1987, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Larsen Bay, AK
- Location: 57.5509° N, 154.0053° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Larsen Bay, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.5509&lon=-154.0053&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4973
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4973/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA014

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THE WIND ON THE SURFACE WAS LIGHT AND VARIABLE AND WHILE HE WAS ON FINAL APPROACH THE AIRPLANE DEVELOPED A HIGH SINK RATE FROM WHICH HE WAS LATE EFFECTING RECOVERY. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2585M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2585M-1994-03-16), registration cancelled 1994-03-16, S/N 327840050 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 327840050
- Airframe hours: 9902
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Peninsula Airways, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 5, 1977, 91 hours before
- Departed: ODK, KODIAK, AK
- Destination: 09AK, LARSEN BAY, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 09AK, Larsen Bay, runway 21, 2,377 × 100 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,917 total, 433 in this make and model, 5,639 as pilot in command, 281 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 39 °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 19871027065419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871027065419A), Oct 27, 1987: Piper PA32300, Larsen Bay, AK, Substantial damage. High sink rate on final not checked by pilot resulted in ground impact short of the runway.

## Other investigations on N2585M (1)

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 ANC89LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA115), Jul 6, 1989: Piper PA-32 (N2585M), Queens Cannery, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE TO THE RUNWAY DURING THE APPROACH AND FAILED TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. THE GUSTY CROSSWIND AND BERM WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

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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