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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

May 2, 1999 · Piper PA-14 · N5402H

Talkeetna, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 2, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Talkeetna, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-14
Tail Number
N5402H
Operator
John P Bast
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC99LA056

The certificated private pilot was landing a tailwheel equipped airplane on runway 36. After touchdown, as the airplane was slowing to taxi speed, the pilot said a gust of wind ground looped the airplane. The nose of the airplane veered to the left. The right wing struck the runway surface, and received damage to the outboard end. The pilot said the wind direction was from 240 degrees at 10 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and an inadvertent ground loop. A factor in the accident was a quartering tailwind.

Full Narrative

On May 2, 1999, about 1101 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-14 airplane, N5402H, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Talkeetna Airport, Talkeetna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The certificated private pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1030. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on May 4, 1999, the pilot reported he was landing on runway 36 at Talkeetna. After touchdown, as the airplane was slowing to taxi speed, the pilot said a gust of wind ground looped the airplane. The nose of the airplane veered to the left. The right wing struck the runway surface, and received damage to the outboard end. The pilot said the wind direction was from 240 degrees at 10 knots. On May 4, 1999, the airport manager for the Talkeetna Airport reported that he examined the airplane. He said between four to five feet of the outboard end of the right wing was bent upward about one foot. A METAR report for the Talkeetna Airport at 1053 was reporting, in part: Wind, 030 degrees at 7 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, few clouds at 7,000 feet, 9,000 feet scattered; temperature, 39 degrees F; dew point, 16 degrees F; altimeter, 29.39 inHg.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:01 AKDT
Nearest AirportTalkeetna (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-14
Tail NumberN5402H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohn P Bast
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 25 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 9000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 16 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data