# NTSB ANC88LA079: Piper PA-32, N15268, Hooper Bay, AK, July 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1988, 19:15 local (Jul 1, 1988, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Hooper Bay, AK
- Coordinates: 61.5391, -166.1194 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5391&lon=-166.1194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5022
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5022/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA079

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIALLY CERTIFICATED PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN WINDS ESTIMATED AS 30 KNOTS GUSTING TO 40. HE REPORTEDLY HIT A DOWNDRAFT JUST PIROR TO LANDING AND HAD A HARDER THAN NORMAL TOUCHDOWN. DURING THE LATER STAGES OF THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE LEFT MAIN GEAR LEG COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15268](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N15268), registered now, S/N 32-7340029, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 327340029
- Airframe hours: 1881
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KIA5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Delta Air Service
- Registered owner: Delta Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 15, 1988, 20 hours before
- Departed: 2Z0, EMMONAK, AK
- Destination: HPB, HOOPER BAY, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: HPB, Hooper Bay, runway 31, 3,600 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,586 total, 520 in this make and model, 9,506 as pilot in command, 231 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 30 knots
- Visibility: 30 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 19880630027109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880630027109A), Jun 30, 1988: Piper PA32300, Hooper Bay, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot made hard landing when encountered downdraft. Left main gear collapsed on rollout.

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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