# NTSB ANC98LA010: Piper PA-31-T3, N314SC, Tyonek, AK, November 11, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 11, 1997, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Tyonek, AK - Coordinates: 61.080165, -151.160766 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.0802&lon=-151.1608&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3106 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3106/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA010 ## Probable cause An on-ground collision with an animal (moose). Factors in the accident were night VFR conditions that restricted the pilot's visual lookout, and the lack of an airport perimeter fence. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - animal(s) (cause) - light condition - night (contributing factor) - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor) - airport facilities,perimeter fence - not installed (contributing factor) ## Analysis A twin engine airplane was departing a private airstrip on a non scheduled air taxi flight during night VFR conditions. The airplane had accelerated to between 85 and 90 knots on the runway. The captain noticed a shadow ahead and left of the airplane, and then felt an impact with the airplane. He aborted the takeoff, and stopped the airplane on the runway. He taxied clear of the runway, and noticed a moose had been struck by the left wing of the airplane during the departure roll. The airplane received damage to the left wing tip, and the left wing spar. The airport is served by several air taxi operators, and is surrounded by brush and trees. A road parallels the east side of the runway, and a line of trees begins about 100 feet east of the road. The airport property is not fenced. ## Factual narrative On November 11, 1997, about 1800 Alaska standard time, a Piper PA-31-T3 airplane, N314SC, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a moose during takeoff from the Beluga Airport, located about 7 miles north of Tyonek, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand passenger flight under Title 14 CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by South Central Air Inc., Kenai, Alaska. The captain, a certificated airline transport pilot, the first officer, a certificated commercial pilot, and 3 passengers, were not injured. Night, visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The operator reported the airplane was departing runway 18, and had accelerated to between 85 and 90 knots. The captain noticed a shadow ahead and left of the airplane, and then felt an impact with the airplane. He aborted the takeoff, and stopped the airplane on the runway. He taxied clear of the runway, and noticed a moose had been struck by the left wing of the airplane during the departure roll. The airplane received damage to the left wing tip, and the left wing spar. The Beluga Airport is a private airport served by several air taxi operators. Runway 18/36 has a gravel surface, and is 5,000 feet long, and 100 feet wide. The airport is surrounded by brush and trees. A road parallels the east side of the runway, and a line of trees begins about 100 feet east of the road. The airport property is not fenced. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N314SC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N314SC-2006-12-21), registration cancelled 2006-12-21, S/N 31T-8275007, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-31-T3 - Registry model: [Piper PA-31T3](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31t3) (registry code 7103128) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31T-8275007 - Airframe hours: 10651 - Engines: P&W PT6-11 500 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: South Central Air Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 3, 1997, 17 hours before - Departed: BLG - Destination: ENA, KENAI, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: BLG, Beluga, runway 18, 5,000 × 100 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 13,701 total, 6,141 in this make and model, 13,453 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 34 °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 19971111039169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971111039169A), Nov 11, 1997: Piper PA31T3, Tyonek, AK, Substantial damage. Collided with unseen moose on takeoff. Aborted. Stopped on runway. Damaged left wing spar. ## Other investigations on N314SC (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 ANC92IA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92IA030), Jan 28, 1992: Piper PA-31-T3 (N314SC), Anchorage, AK, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S CONTINUED TAXI AFTER BECOMING LOST OR DISORIENTED. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE WHITEOUT CONDITIONS CAUSED BY THE FRESHLY FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW AND THE INADEQUATE SNOW… 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.