# NTSB ANC92LA031: Piper PA-32-300, N76RL, Tununak, AK, February 4, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1992, 13:11 local (17:11 UTC)
- Place: Tununak, AK
- Coordinates: 60.60009, -165.129425 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6001&lon=-165.1294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5685
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5685/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA031

## Probable cause

MISJUDGED WIND INFORMATION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: TURBULENCE, CROSSWIND AND FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE AND A STRONG CROSSWIND. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE APPROACH UNTIL THE FLIGHT WAS ON SHORT FINAL AND APPROXIMATELY 50 TO 80 FEET AGL WHEN THE AIRPLANE SUDDENLY BANKED APPROXIMATELY 60 DEGREES TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT TRIED TO CORRECT WITH FULL OPPOSITE CONTROLS AND FULL POWER; HOWEVER, THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND. THE PILOT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND INITIATED A GO-AROUND. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE GO-AROUND AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76RL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76RL-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N 32-7540024, built 1974 (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: 32-7540024
- Airframe hours: 8273
- 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: Tununrmiut Rinit Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 1991, 47 hours before
- Departed: OOK, TOKSOOK, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: AK45, Tununak, runway 26, 1,800 ×  ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,300 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 3,200 as pilot in command, 185 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 25 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 1 °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 19920204001849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920204001849A), Feb 4, 1992: Piper PA32300, Tununak, AK, Substantial damage. Downwind wing hit runway landing in severe gusty crosswind. Made go around with bent wing. Exceeded wind component.

## Other investigations on N76RL (3)

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 ANC03LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA005), Oct 22, 2002: Piper PA-32 (N76RL), Bethel, AK, minor damage. Probable cause: The failure of both pilot's to maintain a visual outlook during taxi operations on the ramp.
- [NTSB ANC93LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA005), Oct 6, 1992: Piper PA-32-300 (N76RL), Nightmute, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: PILOT DID NOT ATTAIN PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT WHILE LANDING ON A RAISED GRAVEL RUNWAY.
- [NTSB ANC91LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA040), Mar 28, 1991: Piper PA-32-300 (N76RL), Kasigluk, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE ON LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SNOWBANK.

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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