# NTSB ANC06CA111: Piper PA-14, N5402H, Fairbanks, AK, August 15, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 14, 2006, 20:30 local (Aug 15, 2006, 04:30 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 65.590278, -147.498611 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.5903&lon=-147.4986&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 64503 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC06CA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64503/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA111 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable off-airport site for takeoff, which resulted in an on-ground encounter with rough-uneven terrain, a loss of control, and a collision with small trees. Factors associated with the accident were the uneven terrain, and high vegetation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ground - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - landing gear,main gear - collapsed ## Analysis The private certificated pilot reported that he was attempting to takeoff in his tailwheel-equipped airplane from an off-airport site, when the right main landing gear wheel encountered a depression. The right wing subsequently dipped and struck a small tree. The pilot stated that he aborted the takeoff, but was unable to stop before overrunning the takeoff area and colliding with more small trees, which resulted in the collapse of the left landing gear, and the left wing striking the ground. He indicated that the airplane sustained structural damage to the landing gear, left wing, and elevators. ## Factual narrative The private certificated pilot reported he was attempting to takeoff in his tailwheel-equipped airplane from an off airport site, when the right main landing gear wheel encountered a depression. The right wing subsequently dipped and struck a small tree. The pilot stated he aborted the takeoff, but was unable to stop before overrunning the takeoff area and colliding with more small trees, which resulted in the collapse of the left landing gear, and the left wing striking the ground. He indicated the airplane sustained structural damage to the landing gear, left wing, and elevators. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5402H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5402H), registered now, S/N 14-512, built 1949 (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: 14-512 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A2A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Fred Bast - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Fairbanks, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 3,200 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 3,175 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## Other investigations on N5402H (2) 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 ANC99LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA135), Aug 23, 1999: Piper PA-14 (N5402H), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent stall during the landing flare. - [NTSB ANC99LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA056), May 2, 1999: Piper PA-14 (N5402H), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and an inadvertent ground loop. A factor in the accident was a quartering tailwind. 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.