NANWALEK, AK, USA
N15175
PIPER PA-32-300
The pilot flew over the airport to observe the wind and saw the wind favoring an approach to runway 19. During the approach, the wind shifted and favored runway 01. The pilot executed a go around and entered a left base for runway 01. The approach path to runway 01 is restricted by an abrupt mountain face and trees located .21 mile from the approach end of runway 01. The pilot stated that after passing over the trees and the bluff, the airplane fell out of the sky. He applied full power and leveled the nose of the airplane. The airplane struck the end of the runway and slid about 100 feet before stopping.
On December 10, 1995, at 1220 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-32-300 airplane, N15175, registered to and operated by South Central Air, Inc., of Kenai, Alaska, crashed while on final approach to Nanwalek, Alaska, which is located 22 miles south of Homer, Alaska. The air taxi flight departed Homer at 1205 and the destination was Nanwalek, formerly known as English Bay, Alaska. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial certificated pilot and two passengers received minor injuries, two passengers were not injured, and one passenger received serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged.During a telephone interview with the pilot on December 13, 1995, he stated that a pilot report from Nanwalek showed that the winds were alternating between runway 01 and runway 19. The pilot report did not list any wind speed. Upon arrival at Nanwalek, the pilot flew over the field and the windsock indicated the wind was from the southeast. The pilot estimated the winds to be approximately 8 knots. He made an approach to runway 19 and executed a go around because on short final the wind had changed and favored runway 01. The pilot completed his go around to the southwest and entered a left base for landing on runway 01. He estimated the winds at 2,500 feet as from the north at 15 knots. The pilot stated he had the airplane configured with full flaps extended and was decelerating to his target airspeed of 80 miles per hour (mph). He began the turn to final and began simultaneously descending. After passing the trees and bluff, located at the approach end of the runway, the airplane began to drop rapidly. He applied full power and leveled the nose of the airplane. The airplane struck the ground at the end of the runway and came to rest approximately 100 feet beyond the point of impact. According to the United States Government Flight Information Publication, the Alaska Supplement, under the airport remarks section, it states that the airport is unattended. The runway is not regularly maintained. Visual inspection of the runway for conditions is recommended prior to use. Runway 01 approach restricted by the village of Nanwalek on the hillside. Runway 19 approach restricted by an abrupt mountain face located .21 nautical mile from the runway's end. During a telephone interview with the owner of South Central Air, Inc., Jim Munson, he stated that the Alaska Supplement lists the restrictions to the respective runways backwards. The village actually restricts the approach to runway 19 and the abrupt mountain face restricts the approach to runway 01. He stated that the company and the pilot were aware of the discrepancy. The abrupt mountain face is grown over with trees that reach a height of 30 to 50 feet which is located on the final approach path to runway 01. Mr. Munson stated that they do not have anything special in their training program relating to special cautions or procedures for arrivals and departures into Nanwalek, nor is it required by the Federal Aviation Administration regulations. He stated that during training, they discuss all the airports that have unusual approach paths and/or procedures. He stated that they do not document the discussions.
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor in the accident was the variable wind.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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