# NTSB ANC88LA096: Piper PA-32, N493CA, Sand Point, AK, July 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1988, 16:35 local (Jul 27, 1988, 00:35 UTC)
- Place: Sand Point, AK
- Coordinates: 55.259777, -160.660308 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.2598&lon=-160.6603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5039
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5039/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA096

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - lubricating system - overtemperature (cause)
  - powerplant - vibration (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD HIGH OIL TEMP AND MODERATE VIBRATIONS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED AT SAND POINT AND A COMPANY MECHANIC ARRIVED TO INSPECT THE AIRCRAFT. THE OIL QUANTITY WAS CHECKED AND A RUN-UP PERFORMED. THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT NO PROBELMS WERE FOUND SO HE RELEASED THE AIRCRAFT FOR FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT HAD JUST DEPARTED THE RUNWAY. SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF, APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET M.S.L., THE ENGINE QUIT. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO THE WATER ABOUT 300 FEET FROM SHORE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE AIRCRAFT SANK INTO 80 TO 90 FEET OF WATER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N493CA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N493CA), registered now, S/N 32-346, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32346
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Johnson, Warren, doing business as Kenai Floatplane Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Lisa E Bradley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: SDP, Sand Point, runway 33, 3,800 × 150 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,700 total, 120 in this make and model, 1,620 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °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 19880726028039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880726028039A), Jul 26, 1988: Piper PA32260, Sand Point, AK, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on climbout. Tried to turn back at 50 ft. hit water cartwheeled and sank. Had prior oil overtemps

## Other investigations on N493CA (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 CHI68D0444](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI68D0444), Nov 26, 1967: Piper PA-32 (N493CA), Houghton Lke, MI, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.