# NTSB ANC83LA019: Piper PA-14, N4226H, Anchorage, AK, November 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1982, 14:06 local (18:06 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.159145, -149.990753 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1591&lon=-149.9908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69776
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69776/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA019

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,ski assembly - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,ski assembly - previous damage (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING AN EARLIER TAKEOFF FROM A FROZEN LAKE THAT HE STRUCK AN UNKNOWN OBJECT IMBEDDED IN DEEP SNOW.HE NOTICED THAT HIS RIGHT GEAR & SKI WERE DAMAGED, & CONTINUED HIS FLIGHT TO ANCHORAGE. APPROACHING ANCHORAGE HE WAS ADVISED BY LAKE HOOD TOWER THAT THE LAKES & CANAL ARE NOTAMED CLOSED DUE TO RUTTED UNEVEN ICE CONDITIONS & THAT A LANDING WOULD BE AT HIS OWN RISK. HE WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE TOWER THAT HIS RIGHT SKI APPEARED TO BE MISSING. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THE INFORMATION & TOLD THE TOWER HE WOULD LAND OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF LAKE HOOD. DURING LANDING THE DAMAGED GEAR DUG INTO THE ICE & THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4226H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4226H), registered now, S/N 14-29 (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 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14-29
- Airframe hours: 8841
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Franklin Creason
- Registered owner: William H. Merrill, Jr.
- Departed: C, LITTLE SUSITNA, AK
- Destination: C, LAKE HOOD, AK
- Airport: LHD, Lake Hood, runway 9, 4,540 × 150 ft, ice

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 370 total, 69 in this make and model, 315 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 350° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANC

## Other investigations on N4226H (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 ANC21LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA071), Aug 15, 2021: Piper PA-14 (N4226H), Tyonek, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and adequate airspeed during takeoff which resulted in a collision with a river. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to…
- [NTSB ANC76DAH12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAH12), May 8, 1976: Piper PA-14 (N4226H), Palmer, AK, substantial damage

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.