# NTSB ANC99LA078: Piper PA-14, N4292H, Skwentna, AK, June 19, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 18, 1999, 20:00 local (Jun 19, 1999, 04:00 UTC) - Place: Skwentna, AK - Coordinates: 61.930595, -151.730026 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9306&lon=-151.7300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 23, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 46570 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA078 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46570/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA078 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area. A factor associated with the accident was high vegetation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4292H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4292H), registered now, S/N 14-45, 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: 14-45 - Airframe hours: 3554 - Engines: Lycoming O-360--A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Chris J. Osowski - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1998, 43 hours before - Departed: AK12, ANCHORAGE, AK - Airport: runway 31, 800 × 250 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 232 total, 226 in this make and model, 211 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 36° at 3 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °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 19990618007209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990618007209A), Jun 18, 1999: Piper PA14, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. Acft crashed on take-off and sustained substantial damage, other circumstances are unknown. (From .19) on June 18, 1999, about 2000 Alaska daylight time, a… ## Other investigations on N4292H (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 ANC85LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA120), Jul 7, 1985: Piper PA-14 (N4292H), Anchorage, 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.