# NTSB ANC82DAG33: Piper PA-14, N5173H, Talkeetna, AK, June 24, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1982, 22:00 local (Jun 24, 1982, 06:00 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Location: 62.3239° N, 150.1094° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Talkeetna, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.3239&lon=-150.1094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72784
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DAG33
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72784/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DAG33

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft weight and balance - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5173H-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N 14-186, built 1948 (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: 14-186
- Airframe hours: 2150
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820623044279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820623044279A), Jun 23, 1982: Piper PA14, Talkeetna, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed and burned during attempted takeoff from lake. Aircraft was over gross weight.

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.

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