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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 24, 1996 · Piper PA-14 · N4229H

Anchorage, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 24, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Anchorage, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-14
Tail Number
N4229H
Operator
David Calkins
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC96LA056

The certificated private pilot was landing at an 800 foot long airstrip at 2,500 feet mean sea level. The strip was oriented north and south along a ridge. The pilot was landing to the south and indicated that the wind was coming upslope from the east about 12 to 15 knots. After touchdown, the pilot applied the brakes and the tail of the airplane began to rise. He released the brakes and added engine power to keep the tail down. The tail continued to rise and the airplane nosed over.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions. Factors in the accident were the crosswind and the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the wind condition.

Full Narrative

On April 24, about 1430 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-14, N4229H, crashed during landing at a private airstrip, about 20 miles southeast of Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Lake Hood Strip, Anchorage, about 1400. In a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that he was landing at an airstrip known as Table Top Mountain. The 800 feet long and 15 feet wide strip is oriented north and south along a ridge. The pilot was landing to the south and indicated that the wind was coming upslope from the east about 12 to 15 knots. After touchdown, the pilot applied the brakes and the tail of the airplane began to rise. He released the brakes and added engine power to keep the tail down. The tail continued to rise and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the nose and wings.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 AKDT
Nearest AirportTable Top Mountain (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length800 ft
Runway Width15 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-14
Tail NumberN4229H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDavid Calkins
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data