# NTSB ANC98LA025: Piper PA-32-300, N81844, Kongiganak, AK, February 24, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 24, 1998, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Kongiganak, AK - Coordinates: 60.809661, -161.85057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8097&lon=-161.8506&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 28, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3119 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3119/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA025 ## Probable cause The pilot misjudged distance/altitude and airspeed, and his delay initiating a go-around. Related factors were the downdraft and snowbank. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot said that he was landing on a snow and ice covered runway. While on final approach, the airplane descended below the intended glide path and struck a snow berm just short of the runway. He said that as he turned base to final, the far end of the runway was obscured. As he approached the threshold, he felt a sudden drop, and he initiated a go-around, but the airplane settled onto the threshold area. ## Factual narrative On February 24, 1998, at 1100 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-32-300 airplane, N81844, operated by Peninsula Airways, Inc., sustained substantial damage when it landed short of Runway 36 at the Kongiganak Airport, Kongiganak, Alaska. The airline transport certificated pilot and three passengers were not injured. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 135 as scheduled commuter Flight 415, operating in visual meteorological conditions. Lower visibility conditions were reported in the area at the time of the accident. A company VFR flight plan was in effect. The airplane last departed Tuntatuliak, Alaska, at 1045. The pilot indicated in a written statement to the NTSB the following: "Weather was generally 1,000 foot overcast and ten miles visibility with scattered areas of mist and flurries. On downwind, I watched a plane depart Runway 36 and do a right turnout to give me the airspace. On turnout, I saw him disappear into a darker wall of mist. Still on downwind over the village, I saw the visibility dropping. As I turned base to final, the far end of the threshold was obscured." The pilot reported that the wind conditions were out of the northeast at 15-18 knots with peak gusts of 22-25 knots. While on final approach to the Kongiganak Airport, the pilot said the airplane suddenly lost altitude, and descended below the intended glide path. A go-around was initiated, but the airplane continued to descend onto the threshold area of the runway. Upon initial touch down the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane continued down the runway for approximately 1,200 feet where the left main landing gear also collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar. A conversation with the general manager for Peninsula Airways disclosed that company personnel at the site had discovered what was believed to be tire marks from the accident airplane on a snow berm prior to the threshold of Runway 36. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81844](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N81844), registered now, S/N 32-8006012, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300 - 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: 32-8006012 - Airframe hours: 8416 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Peninsula Airways, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, June 6, 1998, 59 hours before - Departed: WTL, TUNTATULIAK, AK - Destination: KKH - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: KKH, Kongiganak, runway 36, 1,900 × 35 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,950 total, 146 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 146 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 45° at 18 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 25 °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 19980224001729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980224001729A), Feb 24, 1998: Piper PA32300, Kongiganak, AK, Substantial damage. Narrative: upon approaching the threshold, he felt a sudden drop. Initiating a go-around with full power, the aircraft settled onto the threshold area. He felt… ## Other investigations on N81844 (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 ANC99LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA039), Mar 27, 1999: Piper PA-32-301 (N81844), Chefornak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site. A factor associated with the accident was rough and uneven terrain. 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.