# NTSB ANC98LA100: Piper PA-14, N5133H, Big Lake, AK, July 18, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1998, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Big Lake, AK
- Coordinates: 61.459243, -150.090835 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4592&lon=-150.0908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43538
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43538/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA100

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight procedure of failing to ensure his seat was engaged, which resulted in the seat slipping aft during takeoff.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuselage,seat - not engaged
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuselage,seat - slipped (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

During takeoff from a lake, the pilot's seat slipped aft. He lost hold of the flight controls, and the airplane impacted the water and sank. The seat tracks were new, and the seat retaining pin holes were not worn. The pilot did not hold a seaplane rating.

## Factual narrative

On July 18, 1998, about 1400 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-14 float equipped airplane, N5133H, sustained substantial damage when it collided with water during initial takeoff from Big Lake, Alaska.  The private pilot and the sole passenger sustained minor injuries.  The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, as a personal flight returning to Wasilla Lake Seaplane Base, Wasilla, Alaska.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot told the NTSB investigator on July 18, that during takeoff, his seat was not locked and slipped aft.  He said he lost hold of the flight controls, pulled the throttle to idle, and crashed into the water.

The airplane was equipped with Cessna 170 seats, and new Cessna 170 seat tracks. Photographs of the pilot's seat tracks show no visible wear or elongation of the retaining pin holes.

The pilot had received dual seaplane instruction, and was scheduled the following week for a seaplane check flight. He did not hold a seaplane rating.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5133H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5133H), registered now, S/N 14-144, 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 O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14-144
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Daily
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AK
- Destination: 5L6, WASILLA LAKE, AK

## 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: 1,424 total, 34 in this make and model, 1,382 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19980718023639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980718023639A), Jul 18, 1998: Piper PA14, Big Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Floatplane collided with water when his seat slid back. Lost hold of controls. Pulled throttle colsed. Not fastened. (.4) on July 18, 1998, about 1400 Alaska…

## Other investigations on N5133H (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 ANC68D0102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC68D0102), Feb 10, 1968: Piper PA-14 (N5133H), Gakona, 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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