# NTSB ANC98LA105: Piper PA-28-140, N2350T, Cantwell, AK, August 1, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 1998, 13:40 local (21:40 UTC) - Place: Cantwell, AK - Coordinates: 63.010036, -149.399291 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.0100&lon=-149.3993&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report July 2, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 45159 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45159/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA105 ## Probable cause The pilot's intentional continued VFR flight into IMC. Factors were the scattered to broken clouds, and the mountainous terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor) - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) ## Analysis The non-instrument rated pilot transmitted that he was lost in the clouds and requested help. He began to transmit his position and heading, and then no further transmissions were overheard. The airplane was located at 7,200 feet msl in steep, mountainous terrain extending upwards to 10,000 feet msl. Pilots flying in the area reported VFR weather with cloud bases at 5,000 feet msl, and cloud tops at 9,000 feet msl. These pilots stated that most of the mountain was in the clear, and that they were able to pick their way around the clouds. The airplane and pilot could not be recovered due to hazardous terrain and inclement weather. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 1998, about 1340 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N2350T, was destroyed when it collided with rising terrain, about 37 miles southwest of Cantwell, Alaska, at position 63 degrees 14.54 minutes North latitude, 150 degrees 11.95 minutes West longitude. The solo private pilot sustained fatal injuries. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight departed Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, at 1238, destined for Fairbanks, Alaska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed along the proposed route of flight at the time of the accident, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot did not hold an instrument rating. About 1335, an air taxi pilot inbound for Talkeetna, Alaska, overheard a radio transmission on 123.6 MHz from the accident pilot calling Talkeetna Radio. The accident pilot stated his full aircraft call sign, and said he was lost in the clouds and wanted help. The Talkeetna Flight Service Station did not receive the transmission, but two airborne air taxi pilots did. Both air taxi pilots told the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) during telephone interviews on August 4, that the pilot sounded stressed and frantic. They reported to the IIC that the pilot began to give his position, and then stated he was tracking 235. No other transmissions were received. An Emergency Locator Transmitter signal was received from the south side of Mount McKinley at 1440. The airplane was located about 2100 in mountainous terrain by an Alaska Air National Guard helicopter. Terrain within 10 miles of the accident site extends up to 10,000 feet msl. The wreckage was situated approximately 7,200 feet msl, about 300 feet below a ridge. Two Alaska Air National Guard Pararescuemen (PJs) climbed to the accident site after being landed by helicopter on the ridge above, and confirmed the pilot was deceased. These two PJs informed the NTSB IIC on August 2 that the airplane had impacted a 45 degree snow slope in a level attitude. They described the front half of the airplane buried in the snow, and the tail sticking out. The cabin was full of camping gear. The airplane was described as unstable, with the possibility of sliding down a several thousand feet long snow slope. No photographs were taken by the PJs. Due to unfavorable weather, nearly continuous snowfall, avalanche danger, and steep terrain, the airplane and pilot were not recovered. The reported clouds at Cantwell, 27 miles northeast of the accident site, at the time of the accident were scattered clouds at 7,000 feet msl. Three air taxi pilots interviewed by the IIC related that after overhearing the pilot's distress call, they looked to the north and observed a layer of scattered to broken clouds and cumulus buildups along the eastern flank of the McKinley massif. All the pilots interviewed indicated the bases of the clouds were about 5,000 feet msl, and that it was clear above 9,000 feet. They each stated that most of the mountain range was in the clear, and that they were able to pick their way around the clouds. The pilot's brother was interviewed by the IIC on August 3. He indicated that the pilot departed California on July 11, and did not intend to return until the end of August. He had purchased a new GPS for the trip. The airplane and pilot logs were in the airplane. The pilot's family completed the NTSB Pilot/Operator report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2350T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2350T-2005-02-18), registration cancelled 2005-02-18, S/N 28-7225054, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7225054 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Calvin J. Sippola - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK - Destination: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PAT, 37 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 19980801019079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980801019079A), Aug 1, 1998: Piper PA28140, Cantwell, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into side of a mountain enroute. Cavu existed. Possibility flying too low and got caught in a downdraft. (From .4) the noninstrument rated pilot… ## Other investigations on N2350T (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 SEA74DYG22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DYG22), Dec 31, 1973: Piper PA-28 (N2350T), Richland, WA, substantial 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.