# NTSB SEA89LA105: Piper PA-32-300, N7994F, Skagway, AK, June 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1989, 20:46 local (Jun 8, 1989, 04:46 UTC)
- Place: Skagway, AK
- Coordinates: 59.570026, -135.349166 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.5700&lon=-135.3492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41027
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41027/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA105

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE PROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING TO IDENTIFY WIND CONDITIONS (DOWNDRAFTS) DURING THE FLIGHT. AS A RESULT, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, maneuvering
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered

## Analysis

WHILE MANEUVERING IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE AS IT APPROACHED A PASS. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, THE AIRPLANE WAS LANDED ON A SNOW FIELD. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7994F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7994F-1991-03-01), registration cancelled 1991-03-01, S/N 327740017 (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: 32-7740017
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Skagway Air Service, doing business as Skagway Air Service
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: SGY, SKAGWAY, AK
- Destination: JNU, JUNEAU, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 640 total, 70 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890607014539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890607014539A), Jun 7, 1989: Piper PA32300, Skagway, AK, Substantial damage. Encountered a downdraft while trying to fly over a pass. Unable to maintain altitude landed in a snow field.

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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