# NTSB ANC96LA159: Pzl-Mielec 104-80, N6630M, Aniak, AK, September 21, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 20, 1996, 16:00 local (Sep 21, 1996, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Aniak, AK - Coordinates: 60.899707, -161.230789 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8997&lon=-161.2308&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2908 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2908/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA159 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper glide path on final approach, and his inadequate compensation for the gusty wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident are the gusty winds and a downdraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported he was on final approach to a small, unimproved landing site to drop off a hunting client. He said that while on short final approach a strong downdraft caused the airplane to slam to the ground causing extensive damage to the airplane. The pilot said the winds were approximately 18 knots with higher gusts. He reported that the airplane's glidepath was slightly low, and that the downdraft was caused by turbulence associated with the local terrain and wind gusts. ## Factual narrative On September 20, 1996, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped PZL-Mielec Wilga 104-80 airplane, N6630M, sustained substantial damage during an off airport landing approximately 52 miles east-southeast of Aniak, Alaska. The airline transport certificated pilot and the sole passenger aboard were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions. The purpose of the flight was to transport a hunting client to a hunting site. The flight last departed a local, rural hunting base camp, time unknown. The pilot reported he was making a landing approach to an off airport, unimproved site he routinely used to drop off a hunting client. The pilot said he was flying the airplane at 55 knots indicated airspeed on final approach, when a severe downdraft forced the airplane prematurely onto the landing surface. The airplane received substantial damage when it struck the runway. The pilot reported the wind to be about 18 to 20 knots from 220 degrees, with higher gusts. In his written report to the NTSB, the pilot noted his approach path to the landing site was slightly low, and the downdraft was caused by turbulence associated with the wind flowing over and down nearby terrain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6630M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6630M-2013-09-30), registration cancelled 2013-09-30, S/N CF20900893, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Pzl-Mielec 104-80 - Registry model: [Wsk-Pzl Warzawa-Okecie PZL-104 WILGA 80](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-warzawa-okecie-pzl-104-wilga-80) (registry code 9810280) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Wsk-Pzl-K AI-14R series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wsk-pzl-k-ai-14r-series) (registry code 67205, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CF20400893 - Airframe hours: 1084 - Engines: Pzl-Kalisz KAFAI14RA 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Kelly L. Vrem - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 17, 1996, 13 hours before - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 18 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 36 °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 19960920029199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960920029199A), Sep 20, 1996: Wsk PZL104, Aniak, AK, Substantial damage. Downdraft on final. Impacted upslope prior to runway. Turbulent winds flowing downgrade. Caused downdraft. 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. --- 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.