# NTSB SEA85LA099: Piper PA-32-300, N2897X, Funter Pass, AK, April 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1985, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Funter Pass, AK
- Coordinates: 59.159675, -135.859176 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.1597&lon=-135.8592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40148
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40148/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA099

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - uphill
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

PRIOR TO THE FLT, THE PLT HAD OBTAINED A BRIEFING THRU THE COMPANY WEATHER REPORTING SYS & VFR WX HAD BEEN FORECAST. WHILE EN ROUTE, HE ENCOUNTERED SNOW SHOWERS IN THE AREA OF FUNTER PASS. HE REPORTED THAT HE BECAME TRAPPED BY TWO SNOW SHOWERS WITH THE VISIBILITY DROPPING TO ABOUT 1/4 MI. THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY ON UPSLOPING TERRAIN. DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED & THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2897X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2897X), registered now, S/N 32-7940187 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7940187
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: L.A.B. Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: JNU, JUNEAU, AK
- Destination: HNA, HOONA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,499 total, 155 in this make and model, 1,481 as pilot in command, 260 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 8 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °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 19850429014529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850429014529A), Apr 29, 1985: Piper PA32300, Funter Pass, AK, Substantial damage. Precautionary landing due to unforecast heavy snow showers in Pass. Damage to gear and wing. Landed in deep 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.