# NTSB ANC90FA086: Piper PA-32, N4257T, Bethel, AK, June 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1990, 09:21 local (17:21 UTC)
- Place: Bethel, AK
- Coordinates: 60.810356, -161.85086 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8104&lon=-161.8509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5295
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90FA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5295/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90FA086

## 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 STARVATION. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S DECISION TO TURN AND ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEPARTURE THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY, AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TURNING RIGHT, BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT, AND LOSING ALTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED 1/4 MILE SE OF THE DEPARTURE END OF RUNWAY 18. THE ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR POSITION APPEARED TO BE OFF OR ON THE LEFT TIP TANK. THERE WAS STILL MOVEMENT ON THE SELECTOR TO THE LEFT, INDICATING IT MAY HAVE BEEN ON THE LEFT TIP TANK.

## 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: 327240035
- Airframe hours: 4624
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1B5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Cami Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 27, 1990, 38 hours before
- Destination: AQH, QUINHAGAK, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: BET, Bethel, runway 18, 6,399 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,125 total, 165 in this make and model, 1,060 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 105 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BET, 1 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 19900609019249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900609019249A), Jun 9, 1990: Piper PA32300, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Declared emergency just after departure. Stalled turning final, hit and cartwheeled.

## 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 ANC89LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA051), Mar 9, 1989: Piper PA-32 (N4257T), Kasigluk, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT WHICH RESULTED IN THE COLLISION WITH A SNOWBANK.

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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