# NTSB ANC92LA079: Piper PA-32-300, N15950, Funter Bay, AK, May 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1992, 12:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Funter Bay, AK
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5730
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5730/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA079

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ATTEMPTED 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, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - obscuration
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING AND RECEIVED AIRMET SIERRA WHICH STATED IFR CONDITIONS AND MOUNTAIN OBSCURATION FOR SOUTHEAST ALASKA.  HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO FLY THROUGH FUNTER PASS TO GUSTAVUS WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED DETERIORATING WEATHER.  HE BEGAN A TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION AND HAD TO STOP THE TURN TO AVOID SOME EAGLES.  THE AIRPLANE ENTERED AN OBSCURATION CLOSE TO A HILL AND HE STEEPENED HIS TURN AND ATTEMPTED TO STOP HIS DESCENT.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE WITH THE LEFT WING, BUT CONTINUED TO FLY AND LANDED AT JUNEAU, ALASKA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15950](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15950-2017-06-30), registration cancelled 2017-06-30, S/N 32-7340075, built 1973 (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: 32-7340075
- Airframe hours: 2800
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KIA5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Steve R. Wilson, doing business as Air Excursions
- Registered owner: Steve R. Wilson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000, 85 hours before
- Departed: JUN, JUNEAU, AK
- Destination: GST, GUSTAVUS, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,500 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 4,400 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °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 19920525016479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920525016479A), May 25, 1992: Piper PA32300, Juneau, AK, Substantial damage. Flew into near zero IMC in a pass. Struck tree on turn around. Returned to base. AIRMET issued for area.

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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