Piper PA-32 N4257T
9 June 1990 · Bethel, Alaska, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 9 June 1990 at about 17:21 local time, a Piper PA-32 registered N4257T was involved in an accident near Bethel, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 17:21
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Bethel, Alaska, United States
- Nearest airport
- Bethel (BET)
- Coordinates
- 60.8104, -161.8509
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32
- Registration
- N4257T
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Unknown → Quinhagak
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- IMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ANC90FA086
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING FOLLOWING AN ENGINE POWER LOSS. THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS DUE TO AN IMPROPER FUEL SELECTOR POSITION WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S DECISION TO TURN AND ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEPARTURE THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY, AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TURNING RIGHT, BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT, AND LOSING ALTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED 1/4 MILE SE OF THE DEPARTURE END OF RUNWAY 18. THE ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR POSITION APPEARED TO BE OFF OR ON THE LEFT TIP TANK. THERE WAS STILL MOVEMENT ON THE SELECTOR TO THE LEFT, INDICATING IT MAY HAVE BEEN ON THE LEFT TIP TANK.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-32 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Apr 1990 | Piper PA-32-260 | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States | Martinaire | Minor injuries | - |
| 24 Aug 1990 | Piper PA-32 | Kashvik Bay, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 11 Dec 1990 | Piper PA-32 | Kongikank, Alaska, United States | Ervin, Terry | No injuries | - |
| 22 Nov 1990 | Piper PA-32-RT300 | Gaylord, Michigan, United States | - | Fatal | 4 |
| 16 Mar 1990 | Piper PA-32-301 | Almautlak, Alaska, United States | Arctic Circle Air Service | Fatal | 1 |
| 23 May 1990 | Piper PA-32-300 | Little Rock, Arkansas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
All 1,695 records for this type
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Aug 1990 | Aerospatiale AS-350-B | Juneau, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Aug 1990 | Stinson 108 | Cold Foot, Alaska, United States | Beyers, David W. | Serious injuries | - |
| 17 Aug 1990 | Piper PA-22 | Igiugig, Alaska, United States | Robert Bumbaugh | No injuries | - |
| 9 Aug 1990 | Bellanca 8GCBC | Ivishak River, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 20 Aug 1990 | Artic S1B2 | Talkeetna, Alaska, United States | Jenne, Eugene F. | Minor injuries | - |
| 23 Aug 1990 | Cessna 185 | Nenana, Alaska, United States | Clifton, Jesse | No injuries | - |