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NTSB Report

December 17, 2000 · Piper PA-14 · N5178H

Anchorage, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 17, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Anchorage, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-14
Tail Number
N5178H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC01LA025

The student pilot/owner of a tailwheel-equipped Piper airplane was receiving instruction in touch and go landings from a commercial certificated pilot/flight instructor. During the fourth landing, the student, who occupied the left seat, performed a wheel landing. The airplane began to drift slightly to the left of the centerline, and the student corrected the drift. According to the Piper airplane instructor, the airplane encountered a sudden left crosswind. While still rolling on the main landing gear tires, the airplane began to slide on the runway surface to the right. The student pilot added full engine power to abort the landing. The flight instructor, who occupied the right seat, announced that he had the flight controls of the airplane, and attempted to regain control by holding left aileron and left rudder. When the instructor realized the airplane would not become airborne before departing the runway, he pulled the engine power to idle. The airplane continued to slide to the right, across a snow-covered grass area, and collided with a Cessna airplane that was taxiing southbound on a parallel taxiway. The Piper airplane did not have brakes installed at the flight instructor's station. Both airplanes received damage to their respective right wings and fuselage. The reported wind was variable at 5 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor's delayed remedial action during the landing roll, and subsequent on-ground collision with another airplane. Factors in the accident were the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, and the lack of brake pedals at the flight instructor's station.

Full Narrative

On December 17, 2000, about 1045 Alaska standard time, during a landing on runway 33 at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, a wheel/ski equipped Piper PA-14 airplane, N5178H, collided with a Cessna 150M, N6414K, that was taxiing after landing. Both airplanes received substantial damage. Both airplanes were being operated as visual flight rules (VFR) local area instructional flights, when the accident occurred. The Piper airplane was operated by the student pilot/owner of the airplane. He was accompanied by a commercial certificated pilot/flight instructor from Freedom Aviation, Anchorage. Both pilots were not injured. The Cessna airplane was operated by Aero Tech Flight Service Inc., Anchorage. The commercial certificated pilot/flight instructor, and the student pilot, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on December 18, 2000, the flight instructor on board the Piper reported that the student had previously soloed a Citabria airplane from Freedom Aviation. The student then purchased the PA-14, and was receiving instruction in the airplane. The student had accrued about 37 hours total flight experience. The instructional flight consisted of several touch and go landings on runway 33. During the fourth landing, the student, who occupied the left seat, performed a wheel landing. The airplane began to drift slightly to the left of the centerline, and the student corrected the drift. The instructor said the airplane then encountered a sudden left crosswind. While still rolling on the main landing gear tires, the airplane began to slide on the runway surface to the right. The student pilot added full engine power to abort the landing. The flight instructor, who occupied the right seat, announced that he had the flight controls of the airplane, and attempted to regain control by holding left aileron and left rudder. When the instructor realized the airplane would not become airborne before departing the runway, he pulled the engine power to idle. The airplane continued to slide to the right, across a snow-covered grass area, and collided with the Cessna as it was taxiing southbound on taxiway Charlie. The instructor of the Piper airplane reported that the airplane did not have brakes installed on the right side of the airplane. Both airplanes received damage to their respective right wings and fuselage. In the Pilot/Operator report, (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) submitted by the instructor of the Piper airplane, the instructor reported that the wind conditions were 300 degrees at 4 knots with gusts to 25 knots. In the narrative portion of the 6120.1/2, the instructor said the wind conditions were 360 degrees at 9 knots with no turbulence or wind shear. After the accident, the instructor said the wind gusts were 25 to 30 knots. In the Pilot/Operator report submitted by the instructor of the Cessna airplane, he reported the wind conditions as 330 degrees at 8 knots, gusts to 10 knots. At 1053, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at Merrill Field was reporting, in part: Wind, variable at 5 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, 4,500 feet scattered, 7,500 feet broken, 9,000 feet overcast; temperature, 19 degrees F; dew point, 10 degrees F; altimeter, 29.42 inHg.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:45 AKST
Nearest AirportMerrill Field (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length2640 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-14
Tail NumberN5178H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150 | Continental · O-200A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 22 · Second Class
Crew 2Age 23 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 50
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data