# NTSB ANC93FA045: Piper PA-14, N5153H, Rainey Pass, AK, March 20, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: March 20, 1993, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Rainey Pass, AK - Coordinates: 63.6096, -154.780288 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6096&lon=-154.7803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2295 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93FA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2295/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93FA045 ## Probable cause THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S ATTEMPT TO FLY VFR IN IMC CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND WHITEOUT CONDITIONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING WHICH INDICATED THAT RAINEY PASS WAS CLOSED DUE TO IFR CONDITIONS. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND DEPARTED THE ROHN AIRSTRIP AND FLEW INTO A BOX CANYON 3.5 MILES WEST OF THE PASS. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE TERRAIN WHILE IN A CLIMBING TURN. WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME WERE OVERCAST SKIES WITH SNOW SHOWERS. ## Factual narrative On March 20, 1993, at 1500 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Piper PA-14 airplane, N5153H, registered to and operated by the Pilot-in-Command, crashed in a mountain valley 3.5 miles west of Rainey Pass, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, last departed the Rohn airstrip and the destination was Big Lake, Alaska. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed from McGrath to the Rohn airstrip. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, but whiteout conditions existed in the mountain passes. According to records provided by the McGrath Flight Service Station, through Air Traffic Evaluations, the Pilot-in-Command received a weather briefing which included an area forecast for the Kuskokwim Valley and Cook Inlet/Susitna Valley, the Rainey Pass forecast and flight precautions. The area forecast stated that the weather in the Kuskokwim Valley, the area from which the Pilot-in- Command was departing, was 3,500 to 5,000 feet scattered to broken, 8,000 to 10,000 feet broken to overcast, surface winds from the southeast with gusts to 25 knots, VFR with local marginal VFR due to ceilings and snow. The freeze level was forecast to be at or near the surface. The forecast for the Cook Inlet/Susitna Valley stated local ceilings below 1,000 feet and visibility below 3 miles with light snowshowers along the mountains, west side of the Inlet, and the North Susitna Valley. The forecast for Rainey Pass was IFR due to ceilings and snow. The Pilot-in-Command held a Private Pilot Certificate, number 529443800, with an Airplane Single Engine Land rating, issued 08/17/74. He was issued a Federal Aviation Administration Third Class Medical Certificate, with no limitations, on June 4, 1992. The airplane was substantially damaged and the Pilot-in- Command, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The Pilot-in-Command was volunteering his aviation resources to the Iditarod Air Force, the organization that provides logistical support for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. However, according to a "1993 Personal Record" ledger found in the airplane, there were two entries indicated that $200.00 dollars transferred hands at least two times in early February. An example of the entry reads "Joe SR, Rohn dogfood 200.00." The block is crossed off with the word "paid" had written at the top. The on-scene examination of the airplane wreckage showed that the airplane crashed at approximately the 3,700 foot level of a box canyon located 3.5 miles west of Rainey Pass. Rainey Pass is a commonly used mountain pass when flying across the Alaska Mountain Range. Rainey Pass reaches a maximum elevation of 3,600 feet above mean sea level. A review of the map and abney level measurements show that the top of the canyon, in which the airplane crashed, reaches 5,000 feet above mean sea level. The airplane crashed on a heading of 030 degrees magnetic, in a 15 degrees left bank, with a 5 degree pitch up angle, and into a 18 degree rising slope. The point of impact occurred 75 feet behind the main wreckage on a out cropping of snow covered rocks. The entire accident site was covered with snow and light snow showers passed through the area during the on-scene investigation. Examination of the cargo showed that there were various pieces of survival gear and empty gas cans. No parts, pieces or records were retained by the National Transportation Safety Board. The toxicological examination showed negative results for alcohol and drugs in the urine, no alcohol in the blood, and a 1.5% saturation of carbon monoxide in the blood. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5153H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5153H-2018-01-09), registration cancelled 2018-01-09, S/N 14-163, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-14 - Registry model: [Piper PA-14](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-14) (registry code 7101402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 14-163 - Airframe hours: 5031 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Austin, Marshall R. - Registered owner: Austin, Marshall R. - Last inspection: Annual, February 17, 1992 - Departed: ROHN, AK - Destination: BGQ, BIG LAKE, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,750 total ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point -0 °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 19930320005849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930320005849A), Mar 20, 1993: Piper STCPA14, Rainey Pass, AK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Indicates pilot flew into box canyon instead of Rainey Pass. Impacted rocks on mountainside. Near zero IMC in 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.