# NTSB ANC01LA025: Piper PA-14, N5178H, Anchorage, AK, December 17, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 17, 2000, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.159183, -149.989654 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1592&lon=-149.9897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 50804 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50804/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA025 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The delayed remedial action by the pilot/instructor of another airplane during landing. Factors in the accident were the failure of the pilot of another airplane to maintain directional control, and the lack of available brakes to the pilot/instructor of another airplane. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The flight instructor's delayed remedial action during the landing roll, and subsequent on-ground collision with another airplane. Factors in the accident were the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, and the lack of brake pedals at the flight instructor's station. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, dual student (contributing factor) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - brakes(normal) - not available, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), landing - roll - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - remedial action - delayed, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - brakes(normal) - not available, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - from landing ## Analysis (aircraft 2) A student pilot, accompanied by a commercial certificated pilot/flight instructor, had completed a training flight in a Cessna airplane, and were taxiing southbound on a taxiway that paralleled the active runway. A tailwheel Piper airplane that was landing to the north, departed the right side of the active runway and collided with the Cessna on the taxiway. Both airplanes received damage to their respective right wings and fuselage. The wind conditions were variable at 5 knots. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The student pilot/owner of a tailwheel-equipped Piper airplane was receiving instruction in touch and go landings from a commercial certificated pilot/flight instructor. During the fourth landing, the student, who occupied the left seat, performed a wheel landing. The airplane began to drift slightly to the left of the centerline, and the student corrected the drift. According the Piper airplane instructor, the airplane encountered a sudden left crosswind. While still rolling on the main landing gear tires, the airplane began to slide on the runway surface to the right. The student pilot added full engine power to abort the landing. The flight instructor, who occupied the right seat, announced that he had the flight controls of the airplane, and attempted to regain control by holding left aileron and left rudder. When the instructor realized the airplane would not become airborne before departing the runway, he pulled the engine power to idle. The airplane continued to slide to the right, across a snow-covered grass area, and collided with a Cessna airplane that was taxiing southbound on a parallel taxiway. The Piper airplane did not have brakes installed at the flight instructor's station. Both airplanes received damage to their respective right wings and fuselage. The reported wind was variable at 5 knots. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On December 17, 2000, about 1045 Alaska standard time, during a landing on runway 33 at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, a wheel/ski equipped Piper PA-14 airplane, N5178H, collided with a Cessna 150M, N6414K, that was taxiing after landing. Both airplanes received substantial damage. Both airplanes were being operated as visual flight rules (VFR) local area instructional flights, when the accident occurred. The Piper airplane was operated by the student pilot/owner of the airplane. He was accompanied by a commercial certificated pilot/flight instructor from Freedom Aviation, Anchorage. Both pilots were not injured. The Cessna airplane was operated by Aero Tech Flight Service Inc., Anchorage. The commercial certificated pilot/flight instructor, and the student pilot, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on December 18, 2000, the flight instructor on board the Piper reported that the student had previously soloed a Citabria airplane from Freedom Aviation. The student then purchased the PA-14, and was receiving instruction in the airplane. The student had accrued about 37 hours total flight experience. The instructional flight consisted of several touch and go landings on runway 33. During the fourth landing, the student, who occupied the left seat, performed a wheel landing. The airplane began to drift slightly to the left of the centerline, and the student corrected the drift. The instructor said the airplane then encountered a sudden left crosswind. While still rolling on the main landing gear tires, the airplane began to slide on the runway surface to the right. The student pilot added full engine power to abort the landing. The flight instructor, who occupied the right seat, announced that he had the flight controls of the airplane, and attempted to regain control by holding left aileron and left rudder. When the instructor realized the airplane would not become airborne before departing the runway, he pulled the engine power to idle. The airplane continued to slide to the right, across a snow-covered grass area, and collided with the Cessna as it was taxiing southbound on taxiway Charlie. The instructor of the Piper airplane reported that the airplane did not have brakes installed on the right side of the airplane. Both airplanes received damage to their respective right wings and fuselage. In the Pilot/Operator report, (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) submitted by the instructor of the Piper airplane, the instructor reported that the wind conditions were 300 degrees at 4 knots with gusts to 25 knots. In the narrative portion of the 6120.1/2, the instructor said the wind conditions were 360 degrees at 9 knots with no turbulence or wind shear. After the accident, the instructor said the wind gusts were 25 to 30 knots. In the Pilot/Operator report submitted by the instructor of the Cessna airplane, he reported the wind conditions as 330 degrees at 8 knots, gusts to 10 knots. At 1053, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at Merrill Field was reporting, in part: Wind, variable at 5 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, 4,500 feet scattered, 7,500 feet broken, 9,000 feet overcast; temperature, 19 degrees F; dew point, 10 degrees F; altimeter, 29.42 inHg. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On December 17, 2000, about 1045 Alaska standard time, during a landing on runway 33 at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, a wheel/ski equipped Piper PA-14 airplane, N5178H, collided with a Cessna 150M, N6414K, that was taxiing after landing. Both airplanes received substantial damage. Both airplanes were being operated as visual flight rules (VFR) local area instructional flights, when the accident occurred. The Piper airplane was operated by the student pilot/owner of the airplane. He was accompanied by a commercial certificated pilot/flight instructor from Freedom Aviation, Anchorage. Both pilots were not injured. The Cessna airplane was operated by Aero Tech Flight Service Inc., Anchorage. The commercial certificated pilot/flight instructor, and the student pilot, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on December 18, 2000, the flight instructor on board the Piper reported that the student had previously soloed a Citabria airplane from Freedom Aviation. The student then purchased the PA-14, and was receiving instruction in the airplane. The student had accrued about 37 hours total flight experience. The instructional flight consisted of several touch and go landings on runway 33. During the fourth landing, the student, who occupied the left seat, performed a wheel landing. The airplane began to drift slightly to the left of the centerline, and the student corrected the drift. The instructor said the airplane then encountered a sudden left crosswind. While still rolling on the main landing gear tires, the airplane began to slide on the runway surface to the right. The student pilot added full engine power to abort the landing. The flight instructor, who occupied the right seat, announced that he had the flight controls of the airplane, and attempted to regain control by holding left aileron and left rudder. When the instructor realized the airplane would not become airborne before departing the runway, he pulled the engine power to idle. The airplane continued to slide to the right, across a snow-covered grass area, and collided with the Cessna as it was taxiing southbound on taxiway Charlie. The instructor of the Piper airplane reported that the airplane did not have brakes installed on the right side of the airplane. Both airplanes received damage to their respective right wings and fuselage. In the Pilot/Operator report, (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) submitted by the instructor of the Piper airplane, the instructor reported that the wind conditions were 300 degrees at 4 knots with gusts to 25 knots. In the narrative portion of the 6120.1/2, the instructor said the wind conditions were 360 degrees at 9 knots with no turbulence or wind shear. After the accident, the instructor said the wind gusts were 25 to 30 knots. In the Pilot/Operator report submitted by the instructor of the Cessna airplane, he reported the wind conditions as 330 degrees at 8 knots, gusts to 10 knots. At 1053, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at Merrill Field was reporting, in part: Wind, variable at 5 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, 4,500 feet scattered, 7,500 feet broken, 9,000 feet overcast; temperature, 19 degrees F; dew point, 10 degrees F; altimeter, 29.42 inHg. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N5178H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5178H), registered now, S/N 14-200 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-14 - Registry model: [Piper PA-14](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-14) (registry code 7101402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 14-200 - Airframe hours: 2798 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard D. Westlund - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 16, 2000, 15 hours before - Departed: PAMR - Airport: PAMR, Merrill Field, runway 33, 2,640 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N6414K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6414K), registered now, S/N 15077690, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150M - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 150-77690 - Airframe hours: 12174 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Aero Tech Flight Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 30, 2000, 44 hours before - Departed: PAMR - Airport: PAMR, Merrill Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N5178H; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 503 total, 17 in this make and model, 430 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N6414K; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 710 total, 300 in this make and model, 675 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PAM ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20001217041849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001217041849A), Dec 17, 2000: Piper PA14, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot released controls after a gust of wind hit the aircraft on landing and told the CFI "you got it". The CFI was unable to regain control in… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.