Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA31 near Point Thomson, AK — 2023-05-17

Final reportANC23LA036
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Date
2023-05-17
Location
Point Thomson, AK, USA
Airport
37AA
Aircraft
PIPER PA31
Registration
N34WM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadvertent descent below the published minimum descent altitude, while operating in flat light conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while established on an RNAV GPS instrument approach to a remote airport, flat light conditions made it difficult to discern topographical features of the snow-covered terrain below. Prior to reaching the decision height altitude, the pilot said he looked outside for the runway environment, but the flat light condition caused him to spend more time looking outside and he became disorientated. When he looked back at the airplane’s instruments, he noticed the airplane was below the glide path and initiated a go-around maneuver; however, the airplane subsequently impacted snow-covered terrain. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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