Piper PA32 and Piper PA 28-180 accident near Naknek, Alaska, July 10, 2020
On July 10, 2020 at about 10:30 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Piper PA32 (N44851) and Piper PA 28-180 (N42241), were involved in the same accident near Naknek, Alaska (Naknek airport). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The PA-32 pilot's failure to see and avoid the other airplane.
The PA-32 pilot's failure to see and avoid the other airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 10, 2020 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Naknek, Alaska · Naknek · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Piper PA32 300, built 1977 · all PA32s on the register
- Registration
- N44851 · registry record · serial 32-7740107
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
- Aircraft 2
- Piper PA 28-180 No Series, built 1974 · all PA 28-180s on the register
- Registration
- N42241 · registry record · serial 28-7405163
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Piper PA32 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the Piper PA-32-300 reported that while taxiing from the runway to park, during a turn to the right, the left wing impacted the left wing of the Piper PA-28-180. He added that his airplane was loaded with cargo which made the airplane's nose sit high and that he "missed" seeing the other airplane. The pilot of the Piper PA-28-180 reported that, while holding at the "north ramp area", the airplane was stationary. He added that, he had seen the PA-32-300 coming down the runway and believed he had given adequate space to avoid any conflict. The PA-32-300 sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The Piper PA-28-180 sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. Both pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplanes that would have precluded normal operation.
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 NTSB's narrative for the Piper PA 28-180 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the Piper PA-32-300 reported that while taxiing from the runway to park, during a turn to the right, the left wing impacted the left wing of the Piper PA-28-180. He added that his airplane was loaded with cargo which made the airplane's nose sit high and that he "missed" seeing the other airplane. The pilot of the Piper PA-28-180 reported that, while holding at the "north ramp area", the airplane was stationary. He added that, he had seen the PA-32-300 coming down the runway and believed he had given adequate space to avoid any conflict. The PA-32-300 sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The Piper PA-28-180 sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. Both pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplanes that would have precluded normal operation.
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 for the Piper PA32 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground collision during taxi (from runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Aircraft › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Task environment › Physical workspace › Visibility › Effect on personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 15,152 hours in all; 7,000 in this make and model; 156 in the last 90 days; 62 in the last 30 days; 15,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 3, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 16,856 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 1, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: WSN South Naknek AK
- Destination: 5NK Naknek AK
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 6 knots
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 8:56 pm from PFWS, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Piper PA 28-180 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground collision during taxi (to runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot of other aircraft
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Aircraft › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 749 hours in all; 720 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 626 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 3, 2018
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,811 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 2,450 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 5NK Naknek AK
- Flight plan: none
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.