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Casualties unknown

Airplane Collides with Rising Terrain in Mountain Pass (N30505)

Juneau, AK, US

On October 23, 1997, a Piper PA-32-300 (registration N30505) was involved in an aviation accident near Juneau, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's intentional flight into adverse weather. Related factors were the low ceilings, mountainous terrain, and self induced pressure by the pilot to complete the flight and return for the evening. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane collided with rising terrain in a mountain pass and was destroyed by fire. The flight was delayed hours due to low ceilings. Wreckage found two days later amidst rain, snow, and freezing temperatures.

The Accident

The pilot was flying through a mountain pass when the airplane collided with rising terrain and was destroyed by fire. The impact occurred at an elevation of 2,600 feet mean sea level (msl), and the airplane was in a level attitude with the wings parallel to the slope at the time of impact.

Circumstances

The flight had been delayed several hours due to low ceilings. According to a company pilot who immediately preceded the accident flight along a parallel route, and another pilot in the area, they did not believe the pass where the accident occurred was open. The ceiling at the time was broken with overcast layers above 1,000 feet msl.

Investigation

No abnormalities were discovered with the airplane or engine during the post-accident examination. Due to rain, snow and freezing temperatures, the wreckage was located two days after the accident.

Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Piper PA-32 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Oct 1997 Piper PA-32-300 accident near Juneau, AK?

An airplane collided with rising terrain in a mountain pass and was destroyed by fire. The flight was delayed hours due to low ceilings. Wreckage found two days later amidst rain, snow, and freezing temperatures.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 Oct 1997 involved a Piper PA-32-300, registration N30505, at Juneau, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's intentional flight into adverse weather. Related factors were the low ceilings, mountainous terrain, and self induced pressure by the pilot to complete the flight and return for the evening.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X08941. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.