Piper PA-32-301 N8374T accident, Scammon Bay, AK, Dec 4, 1992 · NTSB ANC93LA019

Probable cause

The pilots VFR flight into IMC conditions, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident were the whiteout snow and fog conditions.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight collision with terrain/waterManeuvering

Weather condition - fogFactor

Weather condition - snowFactor

Weather condition - whiteoutFactor

Vfr flight into imc - performedPilot in commandCause

Altitude - not maintainedPilot in commandCause

Analysis

While maneuvering in preparation for landing, the pilot encountered whiteout snow and fog conditions, and allowed the airplane to descend and strike the snow covered ground. The airplane remained airborne and returned and landed at its point of departure without any additional significant damage.

Aircraft

Registration: N8374T
Reported as: Piper PA-32-301
Category: Airplane
Serial number: 32-8106058
Airframe hours: 3,936
Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Part 135
Operator: Mark Hickel, doing business as Delta Air Service, Inc.
Registered owner: Mark Hickel
Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
Last inspection: 100 hour · September 18, 1992 · 67 hours before
Departed: ENM · Emmonak, AK
Flight plan: Company VFR
Airport: SCM · Scammon Bay, runway 1, 2,550 × 75 ft, gravel

N8374TRegistered now · Piper PA-32-301S/N 32-8106058 · Built 1981 Airframe modelPiper PA-32-301 Engine modelLycoming IO-540 seriesReciprocating

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 32
Certificates: Airline transport, Flight instructor
Airplane ratings: Single-engine sea, Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings: Airplane
Medical: Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat: Left
Toxicology: Performed
Flight hours: 2,504 total · 286 in this make and model · 2,412 as pilot in command · 265 in the last 90 days · 98 in the last 30 days · 6 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions: Instrument (IMC) · Day
Wind: 360° at 15 knots
Visibility: 1 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
Temperature: -15 °F

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Accident 19921204049499APiper PA32301 · Scammon Bay, AKStruck snow covered ground while circling area to find airport. Tore off nose and left main gear. Blamed whiteout.Dec 4, 1992 · N8374T · Substantial damage

Other investigations on N8374T · 2

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

NTSB ANC09CA048Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBirchwood, AKThe failure of maintenance personnel to properly maintain the cargo door latch, resulting in an in-flight opening and separation of the cargo door, and substantial damage to the horizontal stabilator when it was struck by remnants of the cargo door.May 16, 2009 · Substantial damage NTSB ANC96LA027Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNome, AKthe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from terrain. Low ceilings and snow covered terrain were factors in the accident.Mar 2, 1996 · Substantial damage