# NTSB ANC90LA014: Piper PA-32-260, N5511J, Eek, AK, November 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1989, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Eek, AK
- Coordinates: 60.210056, -162.029403 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.2101&lon=-162.0294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5324
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5324/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA014

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION AND HIS FAILURE TO ASSURE THE REMOVAL OF ICE OR FROST FROM THE WINGS. THE EXCESS GROSS WEIGHT AND UNEVEN TERRAIN WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wing - ice (cause)
  - stall/mush
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS TAKING OFF FROM A 1300' GRAVEL RWY THAT HAD BEEN CLEARED OF SNOW. HE RPRTD THE ACFT HAD VERY GOOD ACCELERATION AT THE BEGINNING OF THE TAKEOFF ROLL, BUT THEN IT SEEMED TO HOLD, INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING FURTHER. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE ACFT LIFTED OFF, THEN SETTLED & TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 45 YDS BEYOND THE END OF THE RWY. IT CONTACTED UNEVEN TERRAIN WHICH FAILED THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR. THE ACFT THEN SLID TO A STOP ON A FROZEN LAKE WITH PROP & WING DAMAGE. ABOUT 30 MIN LATER, AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED 'MINIMUM ICING' ON THE WINGS. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND DRG THE POST-ACDNT EXAM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5511J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5511J-1997-10-09), registration cancelled 1997-10-09, S/N 32976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-976
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Kusko Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: EEK
- Destination: WTL, TUNTUTALICK, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: EEK, Eek, runway 17, 1,300 × 30 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 6,900 as pilot in command, 260 in the last 90 days, 140 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 16 °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 19891125046539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891125046539A), Nov 25, 1989: Piper PA32260, Eek, AK, Substantial damage. Over gross weight,lifted near end runway, settled,hit a knoll,severed right gear. Stopped on frozen lake. Wings iced

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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