# NTSB ANC89LA051: Piper PA-32, N4257T, Kasigluk, AK, March 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1989, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Kasigluk, AK
- Coordinates: 60.810417, -161.850753 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8104&lon=-161.8508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5171
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5171/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA051

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT WHICH RESULTED IN THE COLLISION WITH A SNOWBANK.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - snowbank
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD JUST LANDED AND WAS BACK TAXIING WHEN THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A SNOWBANK NEXT TO THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4257T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4257T-1998-03-23), registration cancelled 1998-03-23, S/N 327240035 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32720035
- Airframe hours: 4051
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Tim Crace
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 5, 1989, 3 hours before
- Departed: BET, BETHEL, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: KUK, Kasigluk, runway 17, 2,400 × 75 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,229 total, 304 in this make and model, 1,156 as pilot in command, 246 in the last 90 days, 105 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19890309003459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890309003459A), Mar 9, 1989: Piper PA32300, Kasigluk, AK, Substantial damage. Struck a snowbank on edge of runway while back taxiing after landing.

## Other investigations on N4257T (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 ANC90FA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90FA086), Jun 9, 1990: Piper PA-32 (N4257T), Bethel, AK, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING FOLLOWING AN ENGINE POWER LOSS. THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS DUE TO AN IMPROPER FUEL SELECTOR POSITION WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL…

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.