# NTSB ANC88LA104: Taylorcraft 15A, N6659N, Wasilla, AK, August 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1988, 22:10 local (Aug 5, 1988, 06:10 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: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5046
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5046/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA104

## 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
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL ON A GRAVEL BAR TYPE AIRSTRIP HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED AND LANDED ON A STUMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6659N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6659N-1991-09-17), registration cancelled 1991-09-17, S/N 514001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT 15A
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft 15A](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-15a) (registry code 8850702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5-14001
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Douglas C. Sanderlin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 29, 1988, 30 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 520 total, 450 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19880804030989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880804030989A), Aug 4, 1988: Tcraft 15A, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. Bounced on takeoff and landed on a stump while departing an unimproved strip.

## Other investigations on N6659N (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 ANC71FAA03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC71FAA03), Jul 15, 1970: Taylorcraft 15A (N6659N), Nenana, 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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