ANC99LA078

The certificated private pilot was departing from an 800 feet long grass-covered airstrip. He stated that during the takeoff roll, midway down the airstrip, the airplane's main landing gear tires contacted tall grass. The airplane veered to the left, and the left wing struck a stand of trees that borders the airstrip. The airplane pivoted 180 degrees to the left, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane's right wing struck the ground, and sustained substantial damage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

On June 18, 1999, about 2000 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-14 airplane, N4292H, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a remote airstrip located about 15 miles west of Skwentna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot and the one passenger aboard were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Flying Crown Airstrip, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1200.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on June 19, the pilot reported that he was attempting a northwesterly departure from an 800 feet long, grass-covered airstrip. He stated that during the takeoff roll, midway down the airstrip, the airplane's main landing gear tires contacted tall grass. The airplane veered to the left, and the left wing struck a stand of trees that borders the airstrip. The airplane pivoted 180 degrees to the left, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane's right wing struck the ground, and sustained substantial damage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.