Piper PA-14 Family Cruiser, N4206H: Accident occurred July 23, 2021 in Anchorage, Alaska

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska

https://registry.faa.gov/N4206H

Location: Anchorage, AK

Accident Number: ANC21LA064

Date & Time: July 23, 2021, 15:10 Local 

Registration: N4206H

Aircraft: Piper PA-14

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On July 23, 2020, about 1510 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Piper PA-14 airplane, N4206H, sustained substantial damage when it’s rudder structurally failed in flight about 15 miles southeast of Anchorage, Alaska. The commercial pilot was uninjured. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight.

The pilot reported that while in level cruise flight, frequent left and right rudder inputs were required to keep the inclinometer centered, similar to a light turbulence encounter. The airplane then began to experience a constant yaw, with elevator adjustments required to maintain level flight. He stated that the oscillation then stopped and a “a very large right rudder input” was required to maintain the course heading.

An initial examination of the rudder revealed that the vertical spar tube separated just above the upper hinge point and the top portion of the rudder folded over the horizontal stabilizer tail brace wires. 

The pilot reported that the rudder was most recently overhauled in 2001. At that time, it was sandblasted, inspected, powder coated, covered and painted. At the time of the accident, the rudder, P/N 40622-07, had about 381 hours since overhaul and 2691 total hours since new.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper 

Registration: N4206H

Model/Series: PA-14 

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Amateur Built: No

Operator: On file 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: PALH,90 ft msl

Observation Time: 17:53 Local

Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles

Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C /11°C

Lowest Cloud Condition: 

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots / , 180°

Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 6000 ft AGL 

Visibility: 10 miles

Altimeter Setting: 29.9 inches Hg 

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Departure Point: Anchorage, AK 

Destination: Anchorage, AK

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 None

Latitude, Longitude: 61.181371,-149.97211 (est)