# NTSB ANC88LA032: Piper PA-32-300, N8429N, Kipnuk, AK, February 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1988, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Kipnuk, AK
- Coordinates: 59.930038, -164.060653 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.9300&lon=-164.0607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4987
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4987/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA032

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT FROM THE AIRPORT HE ENCOUNTERED A COMPLETE WHITEOUT CONDITION. THE PILOT THEN ELECTED TO LAND ON THE FROZEN LAKE AND DURING THE ROLLOUT THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A SNOWBANK.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - attempted
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8429N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8429N), registered now, S/N 32-8106089, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 328106089
- Airframe hours: 3341
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Kipnuk Air, Inc., doing business as Kipnuk Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Kipnuk Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 16, 1988, 18 hours before
- Departed: 8Z9, KIPNUK, AK
- Destination: BET, BETHEL, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Kipnuk

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,563 total, 569 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 39 °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 19880223003379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880223003379A), Feb 23, 1988: Piper PA32301, Kipnuk, AK, Substantial damage. Flew into ground after takeoff. Pilot blamed white out. Passengers reported low ceiling and all windows fogged up.

## Other investigations on N8429N (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 ANC83LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA046), Jan 17, 1983: Piper PA-32-301 (N8429N), Nondalton, AK, substantial damage

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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