# NTSB ANC88LA099: Piper PA-14, N5135H, Kustatan River, AK, July 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1988, 18:50 local (Jul 28, 1988, 02:50 UTC)
- Place: Kustatan River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5042
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5042/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA099

## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - building(nonresidential)
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND HIS PIPER PA-14 AIRPLANE AT A REMOTE BEACH FISHING SITE IN GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITIONS. HE REPORTEDLY ENCOUNTERED A WIND GUST UPON TOUCH DOWN, LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND STRUCK AN ABANDONED HUNTING SHACK AND AN UNOCCUPIED, PARKED AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5135H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5135H), registered now, S/N 14-145, 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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14-145
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leo A. Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 1988, 40 hours before
- Departed: ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: KUSTATAN RIVER, AK

## 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: front; flight hours: 163 total, 163 in this make and model, 123 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 10 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °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 19880727033029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880727033029A), Jul 27, 1988: Piper PA14, Kustatan River, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control in a downwind landing. Veered into a small shack and a parked aircraft.

## Other investigations on N5135H (4)

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 ANC87LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA038), Feb 21, 1987: Piper PA-14 (N5135H), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC81DAG09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG09), Sep 16, 1980: Piper PA-14 (N5135H), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC76DAH48](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAH48), Jul 18, 1976: Piper PA-14 (N5135H), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC74DAG64](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74DAG64), Oct 6, 1973: Piper PA-14 (N5135H), Anchorage, 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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