Probable cause
The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain.
NTSB analysis
The non-instrument-rated pilot stated that he departed the airport in visual flight rules conditions, with various cloud layers throughout the area. As he climbed toward the snowfields at the top of a glacier, the clouds rapidly filled in underneath and built up around the airplane as he attempted to climb above them. He could not maintain sight of the ground and entered instrument meteorological conditions. The airplane had slowed to about 70 knots and he was making a wings-level rudder turn when the airplane impacted the glacier. The pilot said there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane. He reported the wings and fuselage were damaged during the impact.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC10LA071 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 8, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Chickaloon, Alaska
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Instrument (IMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-32-260
- N-number
- N3432W
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
Other records under this N-number
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.