# NTSB ANC99LA039: Piper PA-32-301, N81844, Chefornak, AK, March 27, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 27, 1999, 10:10 local (14:10 UTC) - Place: Chefornak, AK - Coordinates: 60.149959, -164.250701 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.1500&lon=-164.2507&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 46044 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46044/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA039 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site. A factor associated with the accident was rough and uneven terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported he was landing on a gravel airstrip that was rough and uneven due to frost heaves. He said the airplane bounced when it encountered a frost heave, and the nose gear collapsed. The pilot related there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On March 27, 1999, about 1010 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-32-301 airplane, N81844, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Chefornak Airport, Chefornak, Alaska. The airline transport certificated pilot and the one passenger aboard were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 135 scheduled commuter flight was being operated in visual meteorological conditions by Peninsula Airways as Flight 421. The flight last departed Bethel, Alaska, about 0913, and the destination was Chefornak. According to the pilot's written statement submitted to the NTSB, the airplane bounced when it encountered frost heaves upon touchdown, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The pilot noted there was no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. Conversations with the Director of Maintenance for the operator, and an FAA airworthiness inspector who examined the airplane, disclosed the airplane received substantial damage to the firewall bulkhead. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81844](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N81844), registered now, S/N 32-8006012, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-301 - 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: 9096 - Engines: Lycoming IO540KIG5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Peninsula Airways - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, March 18, 1999, 68 hours before - Departed: BET, BETHEL, AK - Destination: CFK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: CFK, Chefornak, runway 34, 2,500 × 35 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,438 total, 86 in this make and model, 4,879 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19990327017719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990327017719A), Mar 27, 1999: Piper PA32301, Chefornak, AK, Substantial damage. On March 27, 1999, about 1010 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-32-301 airplane, N81844, sustained substantial damage while landing at the… ## 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 ANC98LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA025), Feb 24, 1998: Piper PA-32-300 (N81844), Kongiganak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot misjudged distance/altitude and airspeed, and his delay initiating a go-around. Related factors were the downdraft and snowbank. 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.