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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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July 18, 1998 · Piper PA-14 · N5133H

Big Lake, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 18, 1998
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Big Lake, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-14
Tail Number
N5133H
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC98LA100

During takeoff from a lake, the pilot's seat slipped aft. He lost hold of the flight controls, and the airplane impacted the water and sank. The seat tracks were new, and the seat retaining pin holes were not worn. The pilot did not hold a seaplane rating.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight procedure of failing to ensure his seat was engaged, which resulted in the seat slipping aft during takeoff.

Full Narrative

On July 18, 1998, about 1400 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-14 float equipped airplane, N5133H, sustained substantial damage when it collided with water during initial takeoff from Big Lake, Alaska. The private pilot and the sole passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, as a personal flight returning to Wasilla Lake Seaplane Base, Wasilla, Alaska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot told the NTSB investigator on July 18, that during takeoff, his seat was not locked and slipped aft. He said he lost hold of the flight controls, pulled the throttle to idle, and crashed into the water. The airplane was equipped with Cessna 170 seats, and new Cessna 170 seat tracks. Photographs of the pilot's seat tracks show no visible wear or elongation of the retaining pin holes. The pilot had received dual seaplane instruction, and was scheduled the following week for a seaplane check flight. He did not hold a seaplane rating.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-14
Tail NumberN5133H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 2 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data