Piper PA-32-300 N2863T

Summary

On 16 April 2003 at about 18:05 local time, a Piper PA-32-300 registered N2863T was involved in an accident near Kotzebue, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 April 2003 at 18:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Kotzebue, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Kotzebue (OTZ)

Coordinates

66.8667, -162.1333

Aircraft

Piper PA-32-300

Registration

N2863T

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kotzebue → Noorvik

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC03LA044

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain during cruise flight. Factors associated with the accident were flat light conditions, and snow-covered terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The solo commercial pilot reported he was transporting cargo on a cross-country flight in VFR conditions. The flight progressed over a large, featureless, snow-covered lagoon, and according to the pilot, flat light conditions made it difficult to discern any topographical features of the terrain. The pilot didn't realize that the airplane had entered a descent. The airplane descended and ultimately struck the snow-covered lagoon, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The reported weather conditions included a 1,200 foot overcast ceiling and visibility of 9 statute miles.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.