# NTSB ANC88LA061: Piper PA-32-301, N8259V, Port Heiden, AK, May 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1988, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Port Heiden, AK
- Coordinates: 56.959243, -158.580688 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.9592&lon=-158.5807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5008
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5008/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA061

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - sand bar (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - abort - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF OF A HEAVILY LOADED PIPER FROM A SOFT STRIP. HIS DECISION WAS TARDY AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A CINDER BANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8259V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8259V-2010-05-04), registration cancelled 2010-05-04, S/N 32-8006097, built 1980 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-8006097
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Peninsula Airways, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CINDER RIVER, AK
- Destination: AKN, KING SALMON, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: Cinder River

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19880518015479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880518015479A), May 18, 1988: Piper PA32301, Port Heiden, AK, Substantial damage. Aborted takeoff too late after poor acceleration. Ran off end of runway into dirt bank. Suspect aircraft overloaded.

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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