# NTSB ANC97LA012: Piper PA-31, N54272, Nunapitchuk, AK, December 5, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 5, 1996, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Nunapitchuk, AK
- Coordinates: 60.880401, -162.460281 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8804&lon=-162.4603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2954
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2954/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA012

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control during the landing.  Factors associated with the accident were: the low fuel condition, which led to a single engine landing, and the crosswind condition.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - 1 engine
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - propeller feathering - performed, pilot in command
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve

## Analysis

The pilot stated the right fuel tanks emptied, and he had to shut down the right engine. He elected to make a precautionary landing at Nunapitchuk. During the landing, the airplane touched down hard. The airplane was tracking straight during the initial landing roll until the nose wheel touched the ground. The airplane then veered off the right side of the runway. The pilot stated he had a direct 15 knot crosswind from the left.

## Factual narrative

On December 5, 1996, at 1630 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-31 Navajo airplane, N54272, registered to and operated by Yute Air, Inc., of Anchorage, Alaska, ran off the right side of the runway during a precautionary landing at Nunapitchuk, Alaska.  The on demand air taxi flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 135, departed Chefornak, Alaska, and the destination was Bethel, Alaska.  A company flight plan was in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The certificated airline transport pilot and the 5 passengers were not injured.  The airplane received substantial damage.

During a telephone interview with the pilot on December 13, 1996, he stated that he ran the right fuel tanks dry and had to shut down the right engine.  He elected to make a precautionary landing at Nunapitchuk.  During the landing the airplane touched down hard.  The airplane was tracking straight during the initial landing roll until the nose wheel touched the ground.  The airplane then veered off the right side of the runway.  The pilot stated he had a direct 15 knot crosswind from the left.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54272](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54272-2004-02-19), registration cancelled 2004-02-19, S/N 31-7405422, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-31
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7405422
- Airframe hours: 13498
- Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Yute Air Alaska
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 9, 1996, 43 hours before
- Departed: VAK, CHEVAK, AK
- Destination: BET, BETHEL, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: 16A, Nunapitchuk, runway 36, 2,000 × 60 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 13,000 total, 550 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 15 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 16 °F

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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