# NTSB ANC97LA030: Piper PA-32-300, N32979, Dillingham, AK, February 26, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 26, 1997, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Dillingham, AK - Coordinates: 58.819789, -157.860946 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.8198&lon=-157.8609&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 7 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2968 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2968/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA030 ## Probable cause the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for departure, and his inadequate evaluation of the wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were: a snow/slush covered runway, and a quartering tailwind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - slush covered (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload ## Analysis The pilot and 6 passengers were departing a private airstrip on a charter flight with a special VFR clearance. The gravel airstrip was 2,400 feet long, was at an elevation of 80 feet mean sea level, and was oriented on a 110/290 degree magnetic heading. The runway was covered by slushy snow, about 1-1/2 inches deep. The pilot attempted to depart on runway 11, but aborted the takeoff. He then attempted to depart on runway 29. He indicated that about 1/2 of the way down the runway, the airspeed was about 5 knots below takeoff speed. He elected to continue the takeoff, but the airspeed then dropped, and the airplane departed the end of the runway without ever lifting off. The airplane received damage to the engine, nose gear, and firewall. The pilot reported the wind was from the southwest at 15 knots. An official weather reporting station, 3 miles from the accident site, reported the wind was from 160 degrees (true) at 11 knots. ## Factual narrative On February 26, 1997, about 1500 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-32-300, N32979, collided with terrain during an aborted takeoff from a private airstrip, about 3 miles northwest of Dillingham, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight under Title 14 CFR Part 135 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Shannon's Air Taxi, Dillingham, sustained substantial damage. The certificated airline transport pilot and 6 passengers, were not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported the pilot was departing a private airstrip know as Shannon's Pond. The airstrip is 2,400 feet long at an elevation of 80 feet mean sea level and is oriented on a 110/290 degree magnetic heading. The pilot indicated he was departing runway 29. Wet snow covered the runway and snow was falling at the time. During the takeoff run, the pilot decided the airplane was not accelerating sufficiently and aborted the takeoff. The airplane slid off the end of the runway and collided with terrain. The nose gear and the propeller were bent aft. The pilot initially reported the accident to the FAA, as an incident. On March 4, 1997, at 1315, the FAA inspector notified the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), that additional investigation revealed engine mount and airframe firewall damage. The FAA reported that the pilot was departing under special VFR conditions. In the pilot/operator report submitted by the pilot, he reported slushy snow, about 1 1/2 inches deep, on the surface of the runway. The pilot indicated he attempted to depart on runway 11 but aborted the takeoff. The wind condition was reported by the pilot as from the southwest at 15 knots. The pilot then attempted to depart on runway 29. He indicated about 1/2 down the runway, the airspeed was about 5 knots below takeoff speed. He elected to continue the takeoff but the airspeed then dropped to 55 knots and the airplane departed the end of the runway without ever lifting off. The closest official weather observation station is Dillingham, Alaska. On February 26, 1997, at 1450, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting in part: Wind, 160 degrees (true) at 11 knots; visibility, 2 statute miles in light rain and snow; clouds, 500 feet overcast; temperature, 32 degrees F; dew point, 30 degrees F; altimeter, 29.77 inHg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N32979](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32979-2000-03-16), registration cancelled 2000-03-16, S/N 32-7540077 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7540077 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Eric Shade - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Destination: BET, BETHEL, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: Shannon'S Pond, runway 29, 2,400 × 65 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 9,900 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 67 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 11 knots - Visibility: 2 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DLG, 3 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 19970226003659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970226003659A), Feb 26, 1997: Piper PA32300, Dillingham, AK, Substantial damage. Tried depart remote strip in 2 inch snow and slushs. Over ran runway. Unable liftoff. Firewall fuselage damage. 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.