# NTSB ANC86FA114: Interstate S-1B2, N51AA, Wasilla, AK, July 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1986, 13:28 local (21:28 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Location: 61.5785° N, 149.4763° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wasilla, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5785&lon=-149.4763&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4600
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86FA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4600/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86FA114

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - maneuver - initiated
  - proper climb rate - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES RPRTD THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKING OFF FROM THE WASILLA LAKE SEAPLANE BASE, THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP CLIMBING TURN. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, IT ENTERED A STEEP DSCNT & CRASH INTO THE WATER. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE ACFT ENTERED A STALL/SPIN PRIOR TO CRASHING. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. BOTH OCCUPANTS SUFFERED MULTIPLE IMPACT INJURIES, BUT ACCORDING TO A POST-ACCIDENT MEDICAL EXAM, BOTH OCCUPANTS DIED FROM DROWNING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51AA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N51AA), registered now, S/N 1002, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: INTERSTATE S-1B2
- Registry model: [Interstate S-1B2](https://openairdocs.org/model/interstate-s-1b2) (registry code 1850303) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1002
- Airframe hours: 686
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jenaro G. Varela
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: Z16
- Airport: Z16, Wasilla Lake, runway 24, 4,000 ×  ft, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 207 total, 147 in this make and model, 158 as pilot in command, 114 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19860727034979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860727034979A), Jul 27, 1986: Arctic S1B2, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Floatplane impacted lake after takeoff. Pilot failed to maintain flying speed. History of disregarding regulations.

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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