# NTSB ANC91LA100: Piper PA-32-300, N2120M, Naknek, AK, July 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1991, 11:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Naknek, AK
- Coordinates: 60.200073, -154.280609 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.2001&lon=-154.2806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5581
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5581/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA100

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUST OF WIND ON FINAL APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE LANDED APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.  JUST BEFORE COMING TO A STOP, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ON ITS BACK.  AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE WIND WAS 180 DEGREES AT 20 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2120M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2120M-1995-08-16), registration cancelled 1995-08-16, S/N 327840039 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 327840039
- Airframe hours: 30000
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K165 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Peninsula Airways, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 28, 1991, 85 hours before
- Departed: EGX, EGEGIK, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: NAK, Naknek, runway 15, 2,500 × 150 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,500 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 4,280 as pilot in command, 170 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 45 °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 19910716027619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910716027619A), Jul 16, 1991: Piper PA32300, Naknek, AK, Substantial damage. Downdraft on short final caused high sink rate and ground impact short of runway. Skidded sideways and rolled over.

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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