# NTSB ANC96LA027: Piper PA-32-301, N8374T, Nome, AK, March 2, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 2, 1996, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Nome, AK - Coordinates: 64.710327, -164.62001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7103&lon=-164.6200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2801 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2801/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA027 ## 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 the accident. ## Analysis The pilot and passenger departed a remote airstrip on a commuter flight in marginal VFR conditions. The pilot reported that he was crossing low hills about 1,000 feet AGL and encountered turbulence and a possible loss of engine power. The engine did not run rough but the airplane continued to descend until impact. The airplane struck a snow covered hill about 15 miles west of the destination airport. The passenger reported that the majority of the flight was conducted with limited downward visibility. Just prior to impact, the passenger reported white-out conditions, and no terrain was visible. The airplane received damage to the landing gear, fuselage, and wings. The pilot and passenger were rescued about 4 hours after the accident. The destination airport reported weather conditions that included a 1,300 feet overcast sky and a visibility of 10 miles in light snow. The operator reported no engine malfunction. ## Factual narrative On March 2, 1996, about 1330 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-32-301, N8374T, collided with terrain about 15 miles west of Nome, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) scheduled domestic commuter flight under Title 14 CFR Part 135 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated as flight number 3321 by Grant Aviation Inc., Emmonak, Alaska, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. The sole passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated from Teller, Alaska, at 1300. On March 2, 1996, about 2110, in a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board, Investigator-in-Charge (IIC), the pilot reported that after departure from Teller, he encountered moderate turbulence and followed the coast in a southeastern direction until turning eastbound toward Nome. He climbed to 2,500 feet mean sea level (MSL) to cross an area of low hills located to the west of Nome. The hills varied from 1,000 to 1,500 feet msl. The pilot indicated that there were strong winds from the northeast. As he was crossing the hills, the airplane began losing altitude. The pilot indicated that he thought the engine was losing power and pushed the throttle, propeller control, and mixture control full forward. The engine did not quit, run rough or sputter. The pilot reported that he activated the engine boost pump but did not pull the alternate air source. The airplane continued to lose altitude and the pilot slowed to about 75 knots before touching down on snow covered terrain. The airplane received damage to the landing gear, fuselage, and wings. The operator submitted a pilot/operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) and indicated on the form that the airplane did not experience a mechanical malfunction. On March 8, 1996, about 0918, in a telephone interview with the passenger, he reported to the IIC that he boarded the airplane in Brevig Mission, Alaska, after missing an earlier flight. The flight proceeded to Teller without incident. After departure from Teller, the flight proceeded west and then south over sea ice. The passenger described the weather as dense, white-out conditions with limited downward visibility. He recalled occasionally seeing sea ice and brush and also observed Sledge Island (8 miles southwest of the accident site). The forward visibility was described as..."dirty, cloudy, whiteness." The passenger indicated that his first indication that the airplane had crashed was when the airplane suddenly stopped and he sustained a cut on his forehead. He recalled the pilot commenting..."If only he'd been 10 feet higher...we'd have made it and we'd be drinking coffee in Nome now." The pilot and passenger were rescued by search personnel from Nome about 1700. At 1254, the weather conditions at Nome were reported, in part: Sky conditions and ceiling, measured 1,300 feet broken, 2,900 feet overcast; visibility, 10 miles in light snow; temperature, 32 degrees F; dew point, 29 degrees F; wind, 120 degrees at 12 knots; altimeter, 30.38 inHg. At 1351, the weather conditions at Nome were reported, in part: Sky conditions and ceiling, measured 1,300 feet broken, 1,800 feet broken, 3,200 feet broken, 4,000 feet overcast; visibility, 10 miles; temperature, 33 degrees F; dew point, 29 degrees F; wind, 110 degrees at 12 knots; altimeter, 30.39 inHg; remarks, snow showers, west through northwest. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## 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: 8077 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1GS 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Grant Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 9, 1996, 62 hours before - Departed: AK54, TELLER, AK - Destination: OME, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,572 total, 15 in this make and model, 253 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft broken - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: OME, 15 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 19960302047529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960302047529A), Mar 2, 1996: Piper PA32301, Nome, AK, Substantial damage. (-16) Pilot continued flight into white-out conditions and hit a snow covered 1150 ft mountain near the top. ## Other investigations on N8374T (2) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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 ANC93LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA019), Dec 4, 1992: Piper PA-32-301 (N8374T), Scammon Bay, AK, substantial damage. 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. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.