Piper PA-31-350 N792FC

Summary

On 15 December 2004 at about 15:15 local time, a Piper PA-31-350 registered N792FC, operated by Warbelows Air Ventures Inc, was involved in an accident near Utopia, Alaska, United States. 4 people were 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

15 December 2004 at 15:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Utopia, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Indian Mountain Airport (PAIM)

Coordinates

53.8996, -166.4001

Aircraft

Piper PA-31-350

Registration

N792FC

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Warbelows Air Ventures Inc

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fairbanks → Utopia

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC05LA068

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's misjudged distance/speed while on final approach to land, which resulted in an overrun during the landing roll. Factors associated with the accident are the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, and a gusty tailwind.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airline transport pilot was landing a twin engine airplane to the west on a 4,100 foot long, snow-covered gravel runway. The airport is surrounded by mountains, except to the east, requiring that arriving aircraft use the westerly runway, and departing aircraft use the easterly runway. Prior to landing, the pilot reported winds to be out of the east at 17 knots, with peak gusts to 29 knots. In an attempt to avoid turbulence while on approach, he selected a touchdown point that was about midpoint on the runway. Just before touchdown, a strong gust of wind lifted the airplane, and carried it further down the runway than the anticipated touchdown point. Without room to complete a successful go-around, the pilot landed the airplane on the remaining runway, and applied heavy braking action. The airplane overran the end of the runway, and struck a snow bank, sustaining structural damage to the fuselage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.