# NTSB ANC93LA005: Piper PA-32-300, N76RL, Nightmute, AK, October 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1992, 13:55 local (21:55 UTC)
- Place: Nightmute, AK
- Coordinates: 60.490093, -164.809005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.4901&lon=-164.8090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5845
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5845/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA005

## Probable cause

PILOT DID NOT ATTAIN PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT WHILE LANDING ON A RAISED GRAVEL RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE STRUCK THE LIP OF THE GRAVEL RUNWAY DURING A VISUAL APPROACH. THE LEFT LANDING WHEEL AND AXLE BROKE OFF AND HE COMPLETED THE LANDING WITHOUT THE LEFT WHEEL. THE RUNWAY IS GRAVEL BUILT UP TO 10 TO 15 FEET ABOVE THE SURROUNDING TUNDRA.

## 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: 327540024
- Airframe hours: 8794
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KIAS 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Camai Air
- Registered owner: Camai Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 27, 1992, 25 hours before
- Departed: BET, BETHEL, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: AK08, Nightmute, runway 2, 1,600 × 45 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,207 total, 320 in this make and model, 1,131 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °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 19921006044229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921006044229A), Oct 6, 1992: Piper PA32300, Nightmute, AK, Substantial damage. Struck lip off runway on landing. Collapsed left main gear and damaged wing.

## 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 ANC92LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA031), Feb 4, 1992: Piper PA-32-300 (N76RL), Tununak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: MISJUDGED WIND INFORMATION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: TURBULENCE, CROSSWIND AND FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER.
- [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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