# NTSB ANC89LA102: Piper PA-32-300, N15306, Tuntutuliak, AK, June 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1989, 13:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Tuntutuliak, AK
- Coordinates: 60.409099, -162.649719 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.4091&lon=-162.6497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5205
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5205/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA102

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO AIRCRAFT DAMAGE WAS A MUD (DIRT) BANK WHICH THE AIRCRAFT HIT DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING.

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BEFORE REACHING THE DESTN, THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH, THEN LOST POWER.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT A MUD BANK & WAS DAMAGED AS THE PLT WAS LANDING ON TUNDRA ABOUT 1 MI FROM THE ARPT. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THE CRANKSHAFT HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15306](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15306-2005-08-24), registration cancelled 2005-08-24, S/N 32-7340034, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- 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: 327340034
- Airframe hours: 4372
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Seagull Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 14, 1989, 50 hours before
- Departed: BET, BETHEL, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## 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: 1,635 total, 710 in this make and model, 1,564 as pilot in command, 270 in the last 90 days, 128 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °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 19890623017289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890623017289A), Jun 23, 1989: Piper PA32300, Tuntatuliak, AK, Substantial damage. Engine failed. Aircraft struck a dirt bank landing on the tundra. Found a broken crankshaft.

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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