PIPER PA-31-350 near Nome, AK — 2009-02-19

Probable cause

The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain while on approach in flat light conditions.

NTSB narrative

The scheduled commuter flight was about 10 miles north of the destination airport, operating under a special visual-flight-rules clearance, and descending for landing in instrument meteorological conditions. According to the pilot he started a gradual descent over an area of featureless, snow-covered, down-sloping terrain in whiteout and flat light conditions. During the descent a localized snow shower momentarily reduced the pilot’s forward visibility and he was unable to discern any terrain features. The airplane collided with terrain in an all-white snow/ice field and sustained substantial damage. At the time of the accident the destination airport was reporting visibility of 1.5 statute miles in light snow and mist, broken layers at 900 and 1,600 feet, and 3,200 feet overcast, with a temperature and dew point of 25 degrees Fahrenheit. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane and that the accident could have been avoided if the flight had been operated under an instrument-flight-rules flight plan.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

VFR into IMC

First missed decision gate

Pilot could have opted for IFR instead of VFR to avoid IMC conditions.

NTSB coding

• Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) · Approach-VFR pattern final
• Decision Making / Judgment

Evidence available

• 1 docket document

Docket documents1

• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form

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