- Date
- June 23, 1982, 22:00 local (Jun 24, 1982, 06:00 UTC)
- Place
- Talkeetna, AK
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 2 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N5173HPiper PA-14
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Night/bright
- Status
- Completed · report June 23, 1983
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Alaska Regional Office
- FAA report
- 19820623044279A
- Case key
- 72784
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot step taxied the float plane to the north end of neil lake in preparation for a south takeoff. Approaching the north shore, a left step turn was initiated to postion the aircraft to the south for a takeoff. During the turn, while still on a northerly heading, the aircraft lifted off the water. During an attempt to continue the takeoff, the right float hit the tops of two trees, and subsequently, the plane crashed and began burning. The aircraft was estimated to be about 300 lbs over the maximum gross weight limit.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N5173H
- Reported as
- Piper PA-14
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 14-186
- Airframe hours
- 2,150
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-A3B, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Robert A. Wilkinson, Jr.
- Registered owner
- Robert A. Wilkinson, Jr.
- Departed
- Talkeetna, AK
- Destination
- ANK · Lake Hood, AK
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 29
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine sea
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Flight hours
- 137 total · 137 in this make and model · 115 as pilot in command · 63 in the last 90 days · 4 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Night/bright
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 100 statute miles
- Temperature
- 149 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.