# NTSB ANC88LA027: Piper PA-32-300, N123TA, Cold Bay, AK, January 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1988, 11:25 local (15:25 UTC)
- Place: Cold Bay, AK
- Coordinates: 55.220745, -162.780349 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.2207&lon=-162.7803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4982
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4982/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA027

## Analysis

THE ATP CERTIFICATED PILOT IN COMMAND DEPARTED ON A SOLO, CARGO-ONLY AIR-TAXI FLIGHT AT 1104 A.K.S.T. FOR A DESTINATION 83SM TO THE N.E. THE PILOT WAS NORMALLY ASSIGNED TO COPILOT DUTIES ON A MULTI-ENGINED AIRPLANE, AND WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE TERRAIN HE WAS FLYING OVER ON THIS FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK RISING TERRAIN APPROXIMATELY 40SM N.E. OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PILOT SAYS HE DOES NOT RECALL THE FLIGHT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT; HE SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AND WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS DURING IMPACT. WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE CRASH SITE ARE UNKNOWN, BUT A PILOT FLYING IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT REPORTED LOCALIZED AREAS OF FOG AND SNOW THAT REDUCED VISIBILITY TO LESS THAN ONE-HALF MILE. THE PILOT WAS RECOVERED BY COAST GUARD SEARCH AND RESCUE PERSONNEL APPROXIMATELY 24 HOURS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## 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 - rising (contributing factor)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N123TA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N123TA-1994-07-18), registration cancelled 1994-07-18, S/N 327940120 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 327940120
- Airframe hours: 4121
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Peninsula Airways
- Registered owner: Penninsula Airways
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 31, 1987, 43 hours before
- Departed: CDB, COLD BAY, AK
- Destination: Z73, NELSON LAGOON, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,725 total, 147 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 147 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Temperature: 34 °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).

- [Accident 19880130002349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880130002349A), Jan 30, 1988: Piper PA32300, Cold Bay, AK, Substantial damage. Struck terrain in level flight in what appears to have been whiteout conditions. Pilot has no recall of accident.

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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