# NTSB ANC93LA019: Piper PA-32-301, N8374T, Scammon Bay, AK, December 4, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 4, 1992, 15:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Scammon Bay, AK
- Coordinates: 61.78947, -165.960205 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7895&lon=-165.9602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5855
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5855/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/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

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8374T), registered now, S/N 32-8106058, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-8106058
- Airframe hours: 3936
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19921204049499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921204049499A), Dec 4, 1992: Piper PA32301, Scammon Bay, AK, Substantial damage. Struck snow covered ground while circling area to find airport. Tore off nose and left main gear. Blamed whiteout.

## Other investigations on N8374T (2)

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 ANC09CA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA048), May 16, 2009: Piper PA-32-301 (N8374T), Birchwood, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The 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…
- [NTSB ANC96LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA027), Mar 2, 1996: Piper PA-32-301 (N8374T), Nome, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: the 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…

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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