# NTSB ANC93LA029: Piper PA-32, N8327S, Port Heiden, AK, January 29, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1993, 09:57 local (13:57 UTC)
- Place: Port Heiden, AK
- Coordinates: 56.959243, -158.5802 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.9592&lon=-158.5802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5860
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5860/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA029

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER INTAKE VALVE STEM.  A FACTOR IN THE DEGREE OF DAMAGE THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED IN THE MISHAP WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE OFF AIRPORT EMERGENCY LANDING ON SHOW COVERED TUNDRA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - tundra (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE NON SCHEDULED AIR TAXI CARGO FLIGHT, CONDUCTED UNDER 14 CFR PART 135, EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT.  THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON SNOW COVERED TUNDRA.  A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE POWERPLANT BY A FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER INTAKE VALVE STEM FAILED, CAUSING THE VALVE TO PASS THROUGH THE PISTON, RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8327S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8327S-2008-07-02), registration cancelled 2008-07-02, S/N 32-8106039, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- 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: 32-8106039
- Airframe hours: 1189
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Peninsula Airways, Inc.
- Registered owner: Peninsula Airways, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 11, 1993, 76 hours before
- Departed: AKN, KING SALMON, AK
- Destination: KPV, PERRYVILLE, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,400 total, 3,900 in this make and model, 7,320 as pilot in command, 246 in the last 90 days, 72 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 14 °F, dew point 3 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTH, 8 nm away

## 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 19930129005629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930129005629A), Jan 29, 1993: Piper PA32301, Port Heiden, AK, Substantial damage. Nr 3 intake valve broke. Valve passed thru piston causing extensive internal engine damage. Landed on frozen tundra

## Other investigations on N8327S (1)

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 ANC08LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA046), Apr 1, 2008: Piper PA-32 (N8327S), Koliganek, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's VFR flight into adverse weather conditions that resulted in a collision with snow-covered terrain during a turn to reverse direction. Factors contributing to the accident were low…

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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