# NTSB ANC90LA173: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N393HM, Glacier Island, AK, September 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1990, 18:25 local (Sep 8, 1990, 02:25 UTC)
- Place: Glacier Island, AK
- Coordinates: 61.150302, -146.809646 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1503&lon=-146.8096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5452
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5452/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA173

## Probable cause

UNDETERMINED MECHANICAL FAILURE(S) THAT RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT, AND A SUBSEQUENT EMERGENCY DESCENT FOR A FORCED LANDING (DITCHING) AT SEA.  THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - powerplant - undetermined (cause)
  - attempted, pilot in command
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke (cause)
  - visual lookout - restricted
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

ABOUT 20 MINUTES AFTER TAKING OFF ON A VFR FLIGHT FROM VALDEZ TO PALMER, AK, THE PILOT REPORTED A ROUGH-RUNNING ENGINE AND SMOKE IN THE CABIN.  ABOUT ONE MINUTE LATER, HE REPORTED THAT HE WAS LOSING VISIBILITY BECAUSE OF SMOKE IN THE CABIN AND DECLARED AN EMERGENCY.  RADIO CONTACT WITH THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOST, AND IT WAS PRESUMED TO HAVE CRASHED IN PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND NEAR GLACIER ISLAND, ABOUT 30 MILES WEST-SOUTHWEST OF THE DEPARTURE POINT.  FOUR DAYS LATER, THE PASSENGER'S BODY WAS RECOVERED FROM THE WATER IN THAT AREA.  A POST-MORTEM EXAM REVEALED THE PASSENGER HAD DROWNED. ON 9/10/90, A 4 FT SECTION OF ONE OF THE AIRCRAT'S WINGS WAS FOUND ON A BEACH ABOUT 2-1/2 MILES FROM WHERE THE PASSENGER'S BODY WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N393HM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N393HM-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 32R7887083, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300T (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (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: 32R-7887083
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Deborah G. & James D. Ginotti
- Departed: VDZ, VALDEZ, AK
- Destination: PAQ, PALMER, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,010 total, 500 in this make and model, 865 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VDZ, 30 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 19900907042289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900907042289A), Sep 7, 1990: Piper PA32RT300T, Glacier Bay, AK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Report rough engine and smoke in cabin. Crashed in a bay. One wing and passenger only objects found.

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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