# NTSB ANC90FA021: Piper PA-31, N302SC, Beluga, AK, December 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 22, 1989, 18:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Beluga, AK
- Location: 61.2603° N, 151.2034° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from BELUGA (BLG), within about 2 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2603&lon=-151.2034&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5279
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90FA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5279/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90FA021

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE.  DARKNESS AND ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N302SC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N302SC-1991-06-24), registration cancelled 1991-06-24, S/N 31T8275004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31T3](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31t3) (registry code 7103128) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-8275004
- Airframe hours: 9266
- Engines: P&W PT6A-11 500 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Southcentral Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 13, 1989, 55 hours before
- Departed: ENA, KENAI, AK
- Destination: BLG, BELUGA, AK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BLG, Beluga, runway 18, 5,000 × 150 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,500 total, 40 in this make and model, 2,450 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANC, 25 nm away

## 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 19891222052869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891222052869A), Dec 22, 1989: Piper PA31T3, Beluga, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Descended into trees approaching non controlled IFR airport. Descended below moca in snow fog and low ceiling.

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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