Casualties unknown

2001-04-14: Piper PA-32R-301 (N4375B) — Emmonak, AK

Emmonak, AK, US

On April 14, 2001, a Piper PA-32R-301 (registration N4375B) was involved in an aviation accident near Emmonak, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadvertent stall while maneuvering. A factor associated with the accident was soft, snow-covered terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

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

A commercial pilot, attempting to drop a note to a man on a snow machine, encountered an aircraft stall and made a forced landing on a river tributary, causing the nose landing gear to collapse.

Event Sequence

While en route to his destination, the certificated commercial pilot noticed a man standing beside a snow machine, waving his arms. The pilot descended to about 100 feet above ground level (AGL) and flew over the individual. The man continued to wave, leading the pilot to believe he needed assistance. The pilot then climbed to 1,500 feet, contacted the Flight Service Station (FSS), and advised them to send help. After confirmation from the FSS specialist that help was on the way, the pilot descended again, deciding to drop a note to the man informing him that help was en route.

Stall and Landing

The pilot reported that with the landing gear down and full flaps extended, he began approaching the man. At about 75 to 100 feet AGL, the aircraft began to stall. Recognizing the stall, he added full power, but the stall progressed too quickly, causing the aircraft to touch down on a tributary of the Yukon River. Upon touchdown, the main wheels and right wing contacted deep snow, and the nose landing gear collapsed.

Damage

The accident resulted in damage to the aircraft, specifically the collapse of the nose landing gear after contacting deep snow.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20010517X00951. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.