# NTSB ANC88LA015: Piper PA-32-301, N43639, Iliamna, AK, October 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1987, 12:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Iliamna, AK
- Coordinates: 59.850677, -154.559432 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8507&lon=-154.5594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4974
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4974/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA015

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system - loss,total (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil pressure pump - failure,total (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - tundra (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT ENG LOST OIL PRESSURE DURING CRUISE. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A SMALL AIRSTRIP. HE DID NOT MAKE IT TO THE STRIP AND OVERRAN NEARBY TUNDRA INTO ILIAMNA LAKE. THE OIL PUMP HOUSING WAS BROKEN; ONE GEAR WAS SPLIT AND THE OTHER HAD A BROKEN TOOTH. THE TEARDOWN OF THE OIL PUMP REVEALED AN OUT OF BALANCE AND WORN OIL PUMP DRIVE SHAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43639](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43639-1991-03-27), registration cancelled 1991-03-27, S/N 328406014 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32840614
- Airframe hours: 3106
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KIG5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Peninsula Airways, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1987, 60 hours before
- Departed: 9K2, KAKHONAK, AK
- Destination: 5NN, NONDALTON, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,879 total, 5,400 in this make and model, 6,859 as pilot in command, 350 in the last 90 days, 170 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19871028060989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871028060989A), Oct 28, 1987: Piper PA32300, Iliamna, AK, Substantial damage. Lost engine oil pressure. Unable to reach airstrip. Landed on the tundra. Overran the area. Crashed into a lake.

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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