Casualties unknown

1996-12-05: Piper PA-31 (N54272) — Nunapitchuk, AK

Nunapitchuk, AK, US

On December 5, 1996, a Piper PA-31 (registration N54272) was involved in an aviation accident near Nunapitchuk, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control during the landing. Factors associated with the accident were: the low fuel condition, which led to a single engine landing, and the crosswind condition. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During a precautionary landing at Nunapitchuk following a right engine shutdown due to fuel exhaustion, the aircraft touched down hard and veered off the runway after nose wheel contact.

Incident Overview

The pilot of an airplane reported that after the right fuel tanks emptied, the right engine was shut down. A decision was made to conduct a precautionary landing at Nunapitchuk.

Landing Sequence

During the landing, the aircraft touched down hard. The initial landing roll was straight until the nose wheel contacted the ground. Subsequently, the airplane veered off the right side of the runway.

Environmental Conditions

The pilot stated that a direct crosswind of 15 knots was present from the left at the time of the landing.

The pilot provided this account of the events. No other details regarding the aircraft type, registration, or injuries were included in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X07124. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.