Piper PA-32-301 accident near Pilot Point, Alaska, July 8, 2008
On July 8, 2008, a Piper PA-32-301, registered N81522, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (into takeoff position) near Pilot Point, Alaska. It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 8, 2008
- Place
- Pilot Point, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32-301 · all PA-32-301s on the register
- Registration
- N81522 · no longer on the register · serial 32-80006004
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot had dropped off passengers, and was taxiing for takeoff on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, positioning flight. The pilot was using a rural road for a runway. While taxiing, the right wing struck a berm, and the airplane exited the roadway to the left, sustaining substantial damage to both the right and left wings.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground collision during taxi (into takeoff position) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › (general) › Not specified
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,082 hours in all; 1,300 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 2,902 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 13,461 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 3,615 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Redemption INC
The flight
- Departed from: PADQ Kodiak AK
- Destination: Pilot Point AK
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 5,000 ft; scat at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.