# NTSB ANC88LA068: Piper PA-16, N5630H, Bethel, AK, June 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1988, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Bethel, AK
- Coordinates: 60.809745, -161.84909 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8097&lon=-161.8491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5011
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5011/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA068

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE 276 HOUR PRIVATE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF FROM THE BETHEL AIRPORT, BETHEL, AK., ON RUNWAY 36 IN A LEFT CROSSWIND CONDITION GIVEN BY THE TOWER AS 280 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS. THE PILOT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER THE TAKEOFF ROLL BEGAN, THE LEFT WING LIFTED ABRUPTLY, AND THE AIRPLANE VEERED TOWARDS THE RIGHT EDGE OF THE RUNWAY. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND ELECTED TO REDUCE POWER JUST AS HE BECAME AIRBORNE AND WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5630H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5630H-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N 16-241, 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 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 16-241
- Airframe hours: 1665
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Scott N. Mathews
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 16, 1987, 122 hours before
- Destination: AKI, AKIAK, AK
- Airport: BET, Bethel, runway 36, 6,399 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 276 total, 191 in this make and model, 223 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BET

## 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 19880623023679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880623023679A), Jun 23, 1988: Piper PA16, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. Lost control on crosswind takeoff. Veered off runway and collapsed left gear and bent wing. Blamed a brake problem.

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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