PIPER PA-32-300

Full Narrative

On April 10, 2009, about 1045 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300 airplane, N43551, operated by JP Air, Bethel, Alaska, as an on-demand cargo flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain following a loss of control while on approach to the Nunapitchuk Airport, Nunapitchuk, Alaska. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions were reported in the general area, but the pilot stated that visibility was greatly reduced due to blowing snow. A company flight plan was in effect. The flight departed Bethel about 1030, en route to Nunapitchuk.

During an interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on April 10, the pilot stated that he had approximately 770 pounds of mail aboard and the flight was without incident until he began the approach for runway 18 at Nunapitchuk. He indicated he had difficulty finding the runway in reduced visibility due to blowing snow. He stated he prematurely slowed the airplane in preparation for landing, as he thought he was closer to the runway than he was. He said that due to his low altitude and the poor visibility, he overshot his turn from left base to final, and while attempting to correct and realign the airplane with the runway, the stall warning horn came on, and the airplane stalled, striking the left wing on terrain west of the runway. The left wing separated from the fuselage, and the airplane slid down the runway a few hundred feet, before going off the east side. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane, and that he should have initiated a go-around instead of trying to salvage the landing.