Piper PA-32-300 N15175

Summary

On 10 December 1995 at about 16:20 local time, a Piper PA-32-300 registered N15175 was involved in an accident near Nanwalek, Alaska, United States. 6 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 December 1995 at 16:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Nanwalek, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Nanwalek (KEB)

Coordinates

59.3997, -151.3202

Aircraft

Piper PA-32-300

Registration

N15175

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Homer → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC96LA018

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor in the accident was the variable wind.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot flew over the airport to observe the wind and saw the wind favoring an approach to runway 19. During the approach, the wind shifted and favored runway 01. The pilot executed a go around and entered a left base for runway 01. The approach path to runway 01 is restricted by an abrupt mountain face and trees located .21 mile from the approach end of runway 01. The pilot stated that after passing over the trees and the bluff, the airplane fell out of the sky. He applied full power and leveled the nose of the airplane. The airplane struck the end of the runway and slid about 100 feet before stopping.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.