# NTSB ANC88LA001: Piper PA-16, N5373H, Fairbanks, AK, October 1, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1987, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809776, -147.719223 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8098&lon=-147.7192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4964
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4964/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA001

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose down, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING TKOF ROLL HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CTL OF THE ACFT WHICH CAUSED IT TO EXIT THE RWY. IT THEN STRUCK A RWY LIGHT AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5373H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5373H), registered now, S/N 16-184, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-16
- Registry model: [Piper PA-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-16) (registry code 7101602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 16184
- Airframe hours: 2143
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Leon E. Bitting
- Registered owner: Leon E Bitting
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 29, 1987
- Airport: runway 19R, 10,300 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 70 total, 50 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 25 °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 19871001058599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871001058599A), Oct 1, 1987: Piper PA16, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered off the runway during an abort. The pilot reported the right brake locked up.

## Other investigations on N5373H (1)

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 ANC76DAA39](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAA39), Jun 9, 1976: Piper PA-16 (N5373H), Fairbanks, 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.

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