Piper PA-32-260 N996PK
9 October 2006 · Port Alsworth, Alaska, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 9 October 2006 at about 18:30 local time, a Piper PA-32-260 registered N996PK was involved in an accident near Port Alsworth, Alaska, United States. 7 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured, one had minor injuries. 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 18:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Port Alsworth, Alaska, United States
- Nearest airport
- Port Alsworth (TPO)
- Coordinates
- 60.1833, -154.3167
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32-260
- Registration
- N996PK
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Other Work Use
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Port Alsworth → Egegik
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ANC07LA001
People
2 people were seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control while maneuvering, and an in-flight collision with tree covered terrain. Factors associated with the accident are the pilot's inadequate evaluation of weather conditions, downdrafts, and mountainous/hilly terrain.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The certificated commercial pilot was departing on a cross-country other work use flight operated under Title 14, CFR Part 91, with a six passengers. Shortly after a takeoff to the north, the flight encountered moderate, sometimes severe turbulence, and the pilot elected to return to the departure airport by making a right turn, towards an area of mountainous terrain. During the turn, the wind increased significantly out of the northeast, and a series of strong downdrafts and associated windshear, pushed the airplane into the tree-covered terrain. During the impact, the left wing was severed from the fuselage, and the airplane pivoted 180 degrees, coming to rest in a nose high position. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot said that there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-32 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Dec 2006 | Piper PA-32-301 | Port Heiden, Alaska, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 23 May 2006 | Piper PA-32-260 | Laconia, New Hampshire, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 31 Dec 2006 | Piper PA-32-300 | Romeo, Michigan, United States | Michael R. D'Arcy | Fatal | 1 |
| 5 Nov 2006 | Piper PA-32-300 | Danville, Arkansas, United States | - | Fatal | 3 |
| 11 Sep 2006 | Piper PA-32-300 | Kanab, Utah, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 5 Jan 2006 | Piper PA-32-300 | Worthington, Minnesota, United States | - | No injuries | - |
All 1,695 records for this type
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Aug 2006 | Eurocopter France AS350 B2 | Nuiqsut, Alaska, United States | Prism Helicopters Ltd | Fatal | 1 |
| 1 Mar 2006 | Douglas DC-3 | Beluga, Alaska, United States | Transnorthern Aviation Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 8 Jul 2006 | Piper PA-31 | Fairbanks, Alaska, United States | Everts Air Alaska | No injuries | - |
| 19 Aug 2006 | Piper PA-16 | Chugiak, Alaska, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 9 May 2006 | Lanford ANTARES MA-33 | Trapper Creek, Alaska, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 19 Jun 2006 | Christen A-1 | Takotna, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |