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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

November 8, 1991 · Piper PA-14 · N4285H

Anchorage, AK

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 8, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Anchorage, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-14
Tail Number
N4285H
Operator
Bennett Rex D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC92LA015

THE PRIVATE PILOT STATED THAT, JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, HE MADE AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO MANIPULATE THE VERNIER TYPE THROTTLE IN ORDER TO SLOW HIS HIGH DESCENT RATE. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED HARD, BOUNCED BACK INTO THE AIR, STALLED, AND COLLIDED WITH TWO PARKED AIRPLANES. THE PILOT HAD JUST BOUGHT THE AIRPLANE AND HAD ONLY ABOUT 2 HOURS IN THIS TYPE AIRPLANE. HE SAID HE WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE VERNIER TYPE THROTTLE WHICH HAD BEEN ILLEGALLY INSTALLED IN THE AIRPLANE SOMETIME BEFORE HE BOUGHT IT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL DURING FINAL APPROACH WHEN HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED TO TRYING TO OPERATE THE VERNIER THROTTLE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE ON THE GROUND.

Full Narrative

THE PRIVATE PILOT STATED THAT, JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, HE MADE AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO MANIPULATE THE VERNIER TYPE THROTTLE IN ORDER TO SLOW HIS HIGH DESCENT RATE. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED HARD, BOUNCED BACK INTO THE AIR, STALLED, AND COLLIDED WITH TWO PARKED AIRPLANES. THE PILOT HAD JUST BOUGHT THE AIRPLANE AND HAD ONLY ABOUT 2 HOURS IN THIS TYPE AIRPLANE. HE SAID HE WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE VERNIER TYPE THROTTLE WHICH HAD BEEN ILLEGALLY INSTALLED IN THE AIRPLANE SOMETIME BEFORE HE BOUGHT IT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time04:30 AKST
Nearest AirportFlying Crown (0nm)
Runway31
Runway Length1100 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-14
Tail NumberN4285H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBennett Rex D
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 9 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 18 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data