# NTSB ANC92LA158: Piper PA-14, N5106H, Skwentna, AK, September 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1992, 11:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Skwentna, AK
- Coordinates: 61.930164, -151.729934 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9302&lon=-151.7299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5800
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5800/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA158

## Probable cause

PILOT MISJUDGED PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY FOR TAILWIND CONDITION CONSIDERING AIRCRAFT LOAD AND TERRAIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: TERRAIN, TAKEOFF AIRSPEED NOT ATTAINED, AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE, PILOT OVERCONFIDENCE IN AIRCRAFT AND PERSONAL ABILITY.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vlof) - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Overrun, takeoff
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - performance data - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF FROM A 2500 FT ELEVATION MOUNTAIN RIDGE STRIP, THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO REACH FLYING SPEED, OVERRAN THE STRIP AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A DOWN HILL TAKEOFF INTO WIND ESTIMATED FROM NW AT 25. DATA DEVELOPED BY NWS FROM FOUR LOCATIONS AROUND THE ACCIDENT SITE INDICATED WIND TO BE CONSISTENTLY 10 KTS FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS A VERY EXPEREINCED AIR FORCE F15 PILOT, AND BELIEVED THE CAUSE WAS 'WINDSHEAR' AS 'HE HAD EXPERIENCED VERY SAME THING IN AN F15 SIMULATOR ON TAKEOFF.' HE INDICATED THAT HE DID NOT CALCULATE TAKEOFF DATA, BUT SAID HE, 'KNEW ALL ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE' OF HIS AIRPLANE. THE FLIGHT WAS REPORTED TO BE THE LAST FLIGHT OUT OF THE HUNTING STRIP, BUT THE PASSENGER, GEAR AND EQUIPMENT ON BOARD DID NOT CONSTITUTE AN OVERLOADED CONDITION. HE WAS UNABLE TO RECALL SPECIFIC WEIGHTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5106H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5106H), registered now, S/N 14-111, 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: 14-111
- Airframe hours: 2295
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Penny R. Nixon
- Registered owner: Penny R. Nixon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1991, 89 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,683 total, 222 in this make and model, 3,230 as pilot in command, 218 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3.4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SKW, 48 nm away

## 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 19920905040769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920905040769A), Sep 5, 1992: Piper PA14, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. Encountered wind shear on takeoff. Descended into brush and nosed up.

## Other investigations on N5106H (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 ANC68D0084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC68D0084), Aug 16, 1967: Piper PA-14 (N5106H), Chitina, 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.

---
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.