# NTSB ANC83LA148: Piper J-5, N28144, Fairbanks, AK, August 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1983, 18:30 local (Aug 18, 1983, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809593, -147.719192 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8096&lon=-147.7192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4155
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4155/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA148

## 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, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED DURING LANDING AND COLLIDED WITH TWO PARKED ACFT. THE PILOT LANDED ON RWY 24 AT FAIRBANKS AND DURING THE LANDING HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE ACFT. THE ACFT LEFT THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH TWO PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED ACFT. THE PARKED ACFT, N7830 AND N68564, RECEIVED MINOR DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28144](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N28144), registered now, S/N 5-117 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-5
- Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (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: 5-117
- Airframe hours: 7538
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul Velsko
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 1983, 47 hours before
- Departed: PAQ, PALMER, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MTF, Metro, runway 24, 4,400 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 76 total, 6 in this make and model, 38 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19830817048469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830817048469A), Aug 17, 1983: Piper J5A, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Lost control on landing. Ran off the runway into parked aircraft. Came to rest nose down in water of seaplane base.

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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