# Accident 20251108018779A: Piper PA-14, Talkeetna, AK, November 8, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 8, 2025, 12:30 local time
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Airport: Talkeetna
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 62.2718° N, 150.1324° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.2718&lon=-150.1324&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5188H, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5188H) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-14 (registry code 7101402, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-14) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-14
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-360 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 243 total, 46 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC26LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA006) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251108018779A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

PILOT DEPARTED WILLOW ENROUTE TO TALKEETNA.

PILOT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED WHAT APPEARED TO BE CARB ICING.

PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING A LITTLE ROUGH.

PILOT ADDED FULL CARB HEAT AND ENGINE CLEARED UP.

PILOT CYCLED CARB HEAT INTO ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES AS HE FLEW TO TALKEETNA.

FIVE MILES OUT FROM TALKEETNA AIRPORT PILOT STARTED TO MAKE HIS DESCENT AND HE ADDED FULL CARB HEAT.

AFTER ABOUT A MILE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STOPPED.

PILOT STATED THAT HE TRIED TO START THE ENGINE AND IT WOULD NOT START.

PILOT SWITCHED TO RIGHT AND LEFT TANKS AND BACK TO BOTH. PILOT THEN PUMPED PRIMER, ENGINE WOULD STILL NOT START.

PILOT MADE THE DECISION TO LAND ON A SANDBAR IN THE SUSITNA RIVER.

ON APPROACH TO THE SAND BAR JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN PILOT SAW A COTTONWOOD LOG COVERED WITH SNOW IN HIS PATH.

PILOT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID THE LOG AND LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUCK THE LOG CAUSING THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR TO COLLAPSE.

PILOT STATED THAT HE MAINTAINED DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO A STOP.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC26LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA006), Nov 8, 2025: Piper PA-14 (N5188H), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage, investigation ongoing

## Other reports on N5188H (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19880405008219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880405008219A), Apr 5, 1988: Piper STCPA14 (N5188H), Glennallen, AK, Substantial damage. PIC misjudged distance of mountains ahead. Made a sharp turn. Stalled. Gear hit snow covered hill. Impacted ground.
- [Accident 19850830044809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850830044809A), Aug 30, 1985: Piper PA14 (N5188H), Cape Yakataga, AK, Substantial damage. Landed short of intended gravel bar and lost directional control. Ground looped.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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