N38393

On December 03, 1993, at 1627 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-32-300 airplane, N38393, operated by Kusko Aviation, Inc., collided with terrain during a visual approach to runway 34 at Napakiak, Alaska. The airline transport certificated pilot-in-command, the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 135 on demand cargo flight departed Bethel, Alaska at 1623 and the destination was Napakiak. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company VFR flight plan was in effect.

The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge during a telephone interview that he departed Bethel with two hours and 45 minutes of fuel and approximately 50 pounds of freight in the form of clothing. While performing a dog leg pattern to runway 34 from the base leg to the final approach heading, the stall warning horn came on. At the time, the airplane was in a 20 degree left bank descending turn with full flaps. While in the turn, the pilot recalled observing an indicated airspeed of between 50 and 55 knots and the plane's altitude was between 50 and 100 feet above the ground. The pilot said that he applied full power and maintained a nose down attitude in an attempt to regain airspeed. The airplane collided with the snow covered tundra approximately 300 feet short of the runway. The pilot reported that the plane's exterior surfaces were clear of ice prior to departing Bethel, that no precipitation was encountered en route, and that he experienced no problems with the plane's engine or flight controls. He estimated the weather at Napakiak at the time of his approach to be 600 feet scattered, visibility 3 miles, with no wind.