Piper PA-32-300 N43551 accident near Nunapitchuk, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to avoid a stall during the landing approach.

NTSB analysis

The solo commercial pilot was en route to a rural airport on a Title 14, CFR Part 135 air taxi flight with a load of cargo. During an interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on April 10, the pilot stated that the flight was without incident until he began the approach to land. 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 pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane, and that he should have paid more attention to his altitude and airspeed.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC09LA030 for the full record.