# NTSB ANC91LA007: Piper PA-14, N4290H, Port Heiden, AK, October 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1990, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Port Heiden, AK
- Coordinates: 56.959659, -158.58081 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.9597&lon=-158.5808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5505
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5505/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA007

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE CROSSWIND, PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND, THE SOFT RUNWAY, AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF AIRCRAFT.

## 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
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND CRASHED DURING AN ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF WITH A 15 KNOT CROSSWIND. HE STATED THAT HE HAD ONLY 2 HOURS IN PA-14 AIRPLANE, AND ONLY ABOUT 13 HOURS IN TAILWHEEL TYPE AIRPLANES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4290H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4290H), registered now, S/N 14-94 (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: 14-94
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas M. Laret, Jr.
- Registered owner: Jeff W. Graham
- Airport: PTH, Port Heiden, runway 31, 4,400 × 100 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 148 total, 2 in this make and model, 177 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTH

## 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 19901016046359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901016046359A), Oct 16, 1990: Piper STCPA14, Port Heiden, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff in crosswind. Ran off runway and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N4290H (2)

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 ANC86LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA146), Sep 8, 1986: Piper PA-14 (N4290H), Port Heiden, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC70D0211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC70D0211), Jun 28, 1969: Piper PA-14 (N4290H), Pelican Rpds, MN, destroyed

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.