# NTSB ANC91LA081: Piper PA-28-161, N4362V, Whittier, AK, June 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1991, 10:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Whittier, AK
- Coordinates: 60.85049, -148.029037 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8505&lon=-148.0290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5565
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5565/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA081

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER FLYING SPEED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT DEPARTED MERRILL FIELD FOR A SIGHTSEEING TRIP. THE FLIGHT WAS NEAR SURPRISE GLACIER AND MANEUVERING AT 2,400 FEET ABOVE MEAN SEA LEVEL, BUT VERY CLOSE TO THE TERRAIN.  THE PILOT STATED THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND HE DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT ROOM IN WHICH TO RECOVER.  THE AIRPLANE LANDED ACROSS THE FACE OF THE MOUNTAIN, BELOW THE GLACIER, SLID TO A STOP, AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE.  THE PILOT STATED THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4362V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4362V-1994-12-27), registration cancelled 1994-12-27, S/N 288416096 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8416096
- Airframe hours: 4307
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ulmer Inc.
- Registered owner: Ulmer Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 1991, 3 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 341 total, 37 in this make and model, 283 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19910628025109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910628025109A), Jun 28, 1991: Piper PA28161, Whittier, AK, Destroyed. Stalled while flying low over mountain glacier. No room to recover. Aircraft destroyed by fire.

## Other investigations on N4362V (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 ANC84LA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA160), Sep 2, 1984: Piper PA-28 (N4362V), Chistochina, AK, 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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