# NTSB ANC92FA083: Piper PA-31T3, T1040, N307SC, Ninilchik, AK, December 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 13, 1991, 19:07 local (23:07 UTC)
- Place: Ninilchik, AK
- Coordinates: 60.069503, -151.420761 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0695&lon=-151.4208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5644
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92FA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5644/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92FA083

## Probable cause

UNDETERMINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds
  - weather condition - icing conditions
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS LEVEL AT 10,000 FEET MSL IN IMC CONDITIONS WHEN THE CONTROLLER NOTICED THE AIRPLANE TAKE A SHARP RIGHT TURN AND DESCEND RAPIDLY.  ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT THE FLIGHT WERE NEGATIVE.  EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SHOWED ALL THE MAJOR COMPONENTS PRESENT, HOWEVER, IMPACT DAMAGE PRECLUDED ANY FLIGHT CONTROL CONTINUITY CHECK.  THE ENGINES COULD NOT BE RECOVERED FROM THE IMPACT CRATER.  THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS NOT ACCESSIBLE WITH SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N307SC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N307SC-1997-08-20), registration cancelled 1997-08-20, S/N 31T8275009 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31T3, T1040 (PA-31T3, T)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31T3](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31t3) (registry code 7103128) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8257009
- Airframe hours: 9745
- Engines: P&W PT-6A-11 500 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Southcentral Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Southcentral Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 30, 1991, 61 hours before
- Departed: ADQ, KODIAK, AK
- Destination: ENA, KENAI, AK
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 9,425 total, 1,900 in this make and model, 7,177 as pilot in command, 144 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ENA, 35 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 19911213056359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911213056359A), Dec 13, 1991: Piper PA31T3, Ninilchik, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Descended from cruise level at high rate. Impacted near vertical. Indications exceeded vne. Strong winds aloft.

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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