Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-32-260 near Yakutat, AK — 2013-09-09

Final reportANC13FAMS2
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Date
2013-09-09
Location
Yakutat, AK, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-32-260
Registration
N3705W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

Undetermined because the pilot and airplane were not found.

NTSB narrative

The pilot obtained a weather briefing and departed on a day visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight. Although visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the departure airport, the current and forecast conditions were marginal VFR and instrument flight rules along the flight route. Flight service issued an alert notice when the airplane was overdue for arrival, and an extensive search was conducted. Radar coverage was limited; however, several radar targets were consistent with the accident airplane's route. The first and last targets were recorded about 13 and 18 minutes, respectively, after departure and indicated that the airplane was at an altitude of 1,100 ft mean sea level and located in an area between coastline and mountainous terrain. However, the airplane and pilot were not found. The airplane was not equipped with, nor was it required to be equipped with, a digital 406-MHz emergency locator transmitter; such a transmitter may have aided search and rescue efforts.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have reconsidered flight after weather advisory for IFR conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ATC audio
  • ADS-B / radar
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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