# NTSB ANC88LA069: Piper PA-14, N4260H, Anchorage, AK, June 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1988, 15:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.219684, -149.850875 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2197&lon=-149.8509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (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): 5012
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5012/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA069

## 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
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON THE RUNWAY A GUST OF WIND HIT THE PLANE PUSHING THE TAIL TO THE RIGHT AND CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO GROUND LOOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4260H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4260H), registered now, S/N 14-63, built 1948 (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 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1463
- Airframe hours: 3501
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frederick C. Duthweiler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1987, 44 hours before
- Departed: MRI
- Airport: MRI, Merrill, runway 24, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 451 total, 413 in this make and model, 420 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRI

## 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 19880621022469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880621022469A), Jun 21, 1988: Piper PA14, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Lost control on touchdown due to crosswind. Ground looped collapsing gear and hitting runway with wing.

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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