# NTSB SEA89FA143: Piper PA-32-301, N8257V, Haines, AK, July 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1989, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Haines, AK
- Coordinates: 59.159511, -135.859603 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.1595&lon=-135.8596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40929
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89FA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40929/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89FA143

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC).  THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND TERRAIN WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A VFR FLT FROM SKAGWAY TO JUNEAU, AK, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED OBSCURING WX CONDITIONS AND REVERSED COURSE. EN ROUTE BACK TO SKAGWAY, HE ENCOUNTERED LOW CEILING, RAIN AND FOG. HE DESCENDED TO FLY UNDER THE WX AND LOST VISUAL REFERENCE AT ABOUT 150 FT ABOVE A SALTWATER INLET. HE INITIATED A CLIMB IN IMC, BUT THE ACFT IMPACTED ON A STEEP, WOODED HILLSIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8257V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8257V-1989-09-25), registration cancelled 1989-09-25, S/N 328206040 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-8206040
- Airframe hours: 4386
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Skagway Air Service
- Registered owner: Skagway Air Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 14, 1989, 86 hours before
- Departed: SGY, SKAGWAY, AK
- Destination: JNU, JUNEAU, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,102 total, 253 in this make and model, 1,565 as pilot in command, 291 in the last 90 days, 113 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 11 knots
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: 226, 4 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 19890730025559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890730025559A), Jul 30, 1989: Piper PA32301, Haines, AK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into near zero IMC. Began climb and struck trees on rising terrain. Weather reported as marginal on briefing.

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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