# NTSB ANC91LA055: Piper PA-32-300, N4593T, Eek, AK, May 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1991, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Eek, AK
- Coordinates: 60.209877, -162.029983 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.2099&lon=-162.0300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5540
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5540/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA055

## Probable cause

WAS THE HARD LANDING CAUSED WHEN THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT DURING THE FINAL APPROACH PORTION OF THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DOWNDRAFT AND THE DIRT/RIVER BANK JUST SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND STATED THAT SHE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT ON SHORT FINAL.  THE AIRPLANE FIRST TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 4 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, BOUNCED, THEN LANDED HARD ON THE RUNWAY CAUSING ALL LANDING GEAR TO SEPARATE FROM THE FUSELAGE.  THE POINT OF FIRST TOUCHDOWN WAS SLOPED DOWN AND AWAY FROM THE RUNWAY ABOUT 30 DEGREES.  THE END OF THE RUNWAY WAS ABOUT 100 FEET FROM A RIVER BANK WHICH DROPPED RAPIDLY ABOUT 20 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4593T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4593T-2012-11-27), registration cancelled 2012-11-27, S/N 32-7240071, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (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: 32-7240071
- Airframe hours: 7673
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Camai Air, doing business as Village Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Nunakauiak Yupik Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 29, 1991, 7 hours before
- Departed: AQH, QUINHAGAK, AK
- Destination: EEK, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: EEK, Eek, runway 17, 1,344 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,516 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,238 as pilot in command, 126 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 125° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °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 19910503014049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910503014049A), May 3, 1991: Piper PA32300, Eek, AK, Substantial damage. Landed hard on upslope short of runway. Impact sheared landing gear. Aircraft then slid off runway down embankment.

## Other investigations on N4593T (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 MKC74FGA18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74FGA18), Jan 16, 1974: Piper PA-32 (N4593T), Jefferson City, MO, substantial damage

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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