SKWENTNA, AK, USA
N5106H
PIPER PA-14
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF FROM A 2500 FT ELEVATION MOUNTAIN RIDGE STRIP, THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO REACH FLYING SPEED, OVERRAN THE STRIP AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A DOWN HILL TAKEOFF INTO WIND ESTIMATED FROM NW AT 25. DATA DEVELOPED BY NWS FROM FOUR LOCATIONS AROUND THE ACCIDENT SITE INDICATED WIND TO BE CONSISTENTLY 10 KTS FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS A VERY EXPEREINCED AIR FORCE F15 PILOT, AND BELIEVED THE CAUSE WAS 'WINDSHEAR' AS 'HE HAD EXPERIENCED VERY SAME THING IN AN F15 SIMULATOR ON TAKEOFF.' HE INDICATED THAT HE DID NOT CALCULATE TAKEOFF DATA, BUT SAID HE, 'KNEW ALL ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE' OF HIS AIRPLANE. THE FLIGHT WAS REPORTED TO BE THE LAST FLIGHT OUT OF THE HUNTING STRIP, BUT THE PASSENGER, GEAR AND EQUIPMENT ON BOARD DID NOT CONSTITUTE AN OVERLOADED CONDITION. HE WAS UNABLE TO RECALL SPECIFIC WEIGHTS.
PILOT MISJUDGED PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY FOR TAILWIND CONDITION CONSIDERING AIRCRAFT LOAD AND TERRAIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: TERRAIN, TAKEOFF AIRSPEED NOT ATTAINED, AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE, PILOT OVERCONFIDENCE IN AIRCRAFT AND PERSONAL ABILITY.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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