# NTSB SEA85FA100: Piper PA-14, N5122H, Bliss, ID, April 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1985, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Bliss, ID
- Coordinates: 42.989364, -114.949394 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9894&lon=-114.9494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40039
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40039/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA100

## 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
  - weather condition - gusts
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - raising of flaps - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED BY WITNESSES TO CLIMB OUT AT A STEEP ANGLE & SLOW AIRSPEED AFTER THE 3RD TOUCH & GO BEFORE PERFORMING A WINGOVER LIKE MANEUVER & CRASHING IN THE X-WIND TURN. THE PAX REPORTED THE PLT EXECUTING A STEEP LEFT TURN BEFORE THE ACFT BEGAN A SMOOTH RAPID DESCENT. THE FLAPS WERE FOUND RETRACTED. THE PLT REPORTED HAVING FLOWN FOR THE PREVIOUS 10 YEARS BUT POSSESSED ONLY A STUDENT PLT CERTIFICATE. HE ALSO REPORTED UNFAMILIARITY WITH THE COCKPIT ERGONOMICS OF THE PA-14 AS COMPARED TO THE PA-18 WHICH HE HAD BEEN FLYING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5122H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5122H-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N 14-128, 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: 14-128
- Airframe hours: 4069
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry M. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 1985, 39 hours before
- Departed: GNG, GOODING, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4 in this make and model, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TWF, 33 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 19850428016869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850428016869A), Apr 28, 1985: Piper STCPA14, Bliss, ID, Destroyed. Started turn after slow nose high climbout. Wing dropped and aircraft impacted the ground.

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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