Event ANC97LA019

Factual narrative

On January 12, 1997, about 2235 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-34, N2491U, collided with terrain about 1/2 mile north of runway 01 at Dillingham, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country business flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Sand Point Airport at 2103. In a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on January 13, 1997, at 0930 , the pilot reported he was demonstrating a VOR approach to runway 01 to the passenger. As the airplane touched down, the pilot noticed that a slight tail wind was present and the runway was slippery. He applied full power and executed a go-around. As the airplane began to climb, the pilot retracted the landing gear and flaps. He also began a slight left turn toward an unlit area of snow covered terrain. The airplane began to descend, and the pilot heard the airplane scrapping the surface of the snow. The airplane's right wing then struck a tree, swerving the airplane to the right. The airplane came to rest in the snow with damage to the right wing, engine propellers, and fuselage. The pilot and a passenger were landing at night after making a cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot reported he was demonstrating a VOR approach to the passenger. As the airplane touched down, the pilot noticed that a slight tail wind was present and the runway was slippery. He applied full power and executed a go-around. As the airplane began to climb, the pilot retracted the landing gear and flaps. He also began a slight left turn toward an unlit area of snow covered terrain. The airplane collided with the terrain and a tree, swerving the airplane to the right. The airplane came to rest in the snow with damage to the right wing, engine, propellers, and fuselage. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12