SEA82DA104

NTSB accident investigation · Piper PA-32-300 · 51 Nm Ese Yakut, AK · July 8, 1982

Accident · Minor injuriesFinal report
Date
July 8, 1982
Place
51 Nm Ese Yakut, AK
Injuries
2 minor
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Maneuvering
Aircraft
N1119XPiper PA-32-300
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report July 8, 1983
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19820708026359A
Case key
69658

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Analysis

The pilot reported that during departure, he proceeded east along the alsek river and along the south side of the alsek glacier while climbing to 6200 ft. he then decided that the intended route was closed due to low clouds and he initiated a turn to reverse course. Reportly, a left turn was commenced and "one notch of flaps set." The pilot stated that shortly after that, the engine began to lose power. He reported that the mixture, props and throttle were advanced, but there was no increase in power. He switched the fuel selector from the right to the left main tank and turned on the boost pump. He stated the plane continued to lose altitude and continuation of the turn was impossible due to terrain. He decided to try and cross over the glacier and land on a solid stretch of ice, but there was insufficient altitude and the plane crashed. A subsequent examination and test run of the engine revealed no discrepancies.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine powerManeuvering - turn to reverse direction
Reason for occurrence undeterminedCause
In flight collision with terrain/waterManeuvering - turn to reverse direction
Weather condition - high density altitudeFactor
Terrain condition - mountainous/hillyFactor
Terrain conditionFactor
In-flight planning/decision - improperPilot in commandCause
Terrain condition - icyFactor

Aircraft

Registration
N1119X
Reported as
Piper PA-32-300
Category
Airplane
Serial number
327540145
Airframe hours
4,192
Engine
Lycoming IO-540-K1A5, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Flight
Part 135
Operator
L.A.B. Flying Service
Registered owner
L.A.B. Flying Service
Departed
C · Dry Bay, AK
Destination
C · Haines, AK
Flight plan
VFR

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
24
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Flight hours
1,850 total · 400 in this make and model · 120 in the last 90 days · 4 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Visibility
15 statute miles
Temperature
95 °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.