# NTSB ANC98LA123: Piper PA-14, N4214H, Chugiak, AK, August 19, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 18, 1998, 21:30 local (Aug 19, 1998, 05:30 UTC) - Place: Chugiak, AK - Coordinates: 61.410297, -149.170806 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4103&lon=-149.1708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (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): 43904 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43904/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA123 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The private pilot departed on a local flight in a tailwheel equipped airplane. He reported that he had completed three, solo, touch-and-go landings, after which a passenger boarded the airplane for a local area flight. He stated that while departing runway 19, all engine power was lost, and that he did not have sufficient altitude to return to the runway. He said that he made a forced landing in trees bordering the runway. In the pilot's written statement to the NTSB, he reported that when the flight originated, the right main fuel tank was full, and the left main fuel tank was about one-quarter full. Both auxiliary fuel tanks were empty, and not in use at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that the entire flight was accomplished with the fuel selector valve on the right main tank. A pilot-rated police officer that responded to the initial accident call, arrived on scene about 15 minutes after the accident. He reported that upon his arrival, the left main fuel tank was 'dry', and the right fuel tank appeared to be full. He added that the main fuel selector valve had been placed in the 'off' position prior to his arrival. The police officer said that the pilot had closed the fuel valve prior to exiting the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 18, 1998, about 2130 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-14 airplane, N4214H, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from the Birchwood Airport, Chugiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated private pilot, and the one passenger aboard received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Birchwood Airport, about 2050. During a conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on August 19, the pilot reported that he had completed three, solo, touch-and-go landings. He noted that prior to the accident flight, his brother boarded the airplane for a local area flight. He stated that while departing runway 19, about midway down the runway, all engine power was lost. He said that he did not have sufficient altitude to return to the runway, and made a forced landing in trees bordering the runway. In the pilot's written statement to the NTSB, he reported that when the flight originated, the right main fuel tank was full, and the left main fuel tank was about one-quarter full. The left and right auxiliary fuel tanks were empty, and not in use at the time of the accident. He said that the entire flight was accomplished with the fuel selector valve on the right tank. A pilot-rated police officer that responded to the initial accident call, arrived on scene about 15 minutes after the accident. He reported that upon his arrival, the left main fuel tank was "dry", and the right fuel tank appeared to be full. He added that the main fuel selector valve had been placed in the "off" position prior to his arrival. The police officer said that the pilot had closed the fuel valve prior to exiting the airplane. The airplane's wings, and fuselage sustained substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4214H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4214H), registered now, S/N 14-101 (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: 14-101 - Airframe hours: 4281 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael Lane Foster - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 1997, 20 hours before - Departed: BCV - Airport: BCV, Birchwood, runway 19, 4,010 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 333 total, 11 in this make and model, 333 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PAB ## 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 19980818030949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980818030949A), Aug 18, 1998: Piper PA14, Birchwood, AK, Substantial damage. (.4) The private pilot departed on a local flight in a tailwheel equipped airplane. He reported that he had completed three, solo, touch-and-go landings, after… ## Other investigations on N4214H (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 ANC20LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA086), Aug 31, 2020: Piper PA 14 (N4214H), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in impact with trees. - [NTSB ANC76DAD10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAD10), Aug 8, 1976: Piper PA-14 (N4214H), Kruzoff Island, 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.