Piper PA-31 accident near Valdez, AK

On June 25, 1995, a Piper PA-31 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Valdez, AK. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.

Date

June 25, 1995

Place

Valdez, AK

Aircraft

Piper PA-31 · Airplane

Injuries

4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Destroyed

Position

61.149°N, 146.809°W

NTSB ID

20001207X03575

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 25, 1995, about 1557 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-31 airplane, N62851, was destroyed when it collided with mountainous terrain approximately 6 miles east of the Valdez Airport, Valdez, Alaska. The private pilot/airplane owner and the three passengers aboard were fatally injured. The personal flight departed Homer, Alaska, about 1445, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot later received an instrument approach clearance for the Localizer Directional Aid/Distance Measuring Equipment-C (LDA-DME C) approach to the Valdez Airport. The pilot of the accident airplane declared a missed approach to the FAA Juneau Flight Service Station (FSS) at 1555, and was instructed by a Juneau FSS specialist to contact Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). Anchorage ARTCC did not receive a radio transmission from the accident airplane. The initial portion of the published procedure for the missed approach at Valdez calls for an immediate climb, then a right climbing turn to 7,000 feet msl, on the 227 degree bearing of the Mineral Creek non directional beacon. The instrument approach environment is in a mountainous area which is not serviced by any air traffic control facility radar. The airplane's wreckage was discovered on June 27 by a Valdez based helicopter operator who was actively looking for the crash site. Earlier search efforts were hampered by reduced visibility and low clouds. The wreckage was located about the 4,300' level of a mountainside adjacent to East Peak. East Peak lies approximately 10 degrees north of the extended centerline of

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE PUBLISHED IFR (MISSED APPROACH) PROCEDURE AND ASSURE ADEQUATE ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE FROM MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.