# NTSB ANC90FA039: Piper PA-32-301, N8290T, Almautlak, AK, March 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1990, 14:35 local (18:35 UTC)
- Place: Almautlak, AK
- Coordinates: 60.809448, -161.850738 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8094&lon=-161.8507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5284
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90FA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5284/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90FA039

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE BECAUSE OF SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS PREVAILING AT THE TIME WERE FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TRANSITIONING FROM VFR TO IFR CONDITIONS, AND RECEIVING AN IFR CLEARANCE TO THE FINAL APPROACH FIX FOR ILS/DME RUNWAY 18 AT BETHEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8290T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8290T-1990-10-30), registration cancelled 1990-10-30, S/N 328106005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-8106005
- Airframe hours: 1910
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Arctic Circle Air Service
- Registered owner: Northwind Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 1990, 142 hours before
- Departed: Z09, KASIGLUK, AK
- Destination: BET, BETHEL, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,802 total, 1,014 in this make and model, 1,646 as pilot in command, 168 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 30 °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 19900316004559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900316004559A), Mar 16, 1990: Piper PA32301, Bethel, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control in near zero weather after clearance for ILS approach. Gyro horizon not compatible with auto pilot.

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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