# NTSB SEA86LA172: Piper PA-28, N7642F, Petersburg, AK, July 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1986, 03:30 local (11:30 UTC)
- Place: Petersburg, AK
- Coordinates: 57.049205, -132.620849 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.0492&lon=-132.6208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40446
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40446/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA172

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - light condition - dawn (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED HE HAD TAKEN OFF IN 'OK VISIBILITY' AND PROCEEDED TOWARD WRANGELL, ALASKA. EN ROUTE HE ENCOUNTERED 'GROUND FOG' AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING AROUND WHEN HE 'HIT CONNER (SIC) OF FOG ON THE HILLSIDE. THEN HIT TREES.'THE PASSENGER REPORTED TO POLICE THAT THEY WERE GETTING LOWER AND LOWER DURING THE FLIGHT BEFORE HITTING THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7642F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7715221
- Airframe hours: 1946
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3B 151 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harold L. Connie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 9, 1985, 72 hours before
- Departed: PSG, PETERSBURG, AK
- Destination: WRG, WRANGELL, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: expired; seat: left; flight hours: 201 total, 200 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm

## 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 19860718070749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860718070749A), Jul 18, 1986: Piper PA28151, Petersburg, AK, Destroyed. Student with a passenger struck trees on a hill after encountering fog en route.

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.

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