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NTSB Report
August 29, 1994 · Piper PA-18 · N4478A
Skwentna, AK
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 29, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Skwentna, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N4478A
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC94LA116
THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE ON A GRAVEL BAR. DURING THE LANDING ROLL HE WAS APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE. THE WHEELS HIT A SOFT SPOT IN THE GRAVEL AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S SELECTING A GRAVEL BAR FOR A NORMAL LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE SOFT SPOT IN THE GRAVEL BAR.
Full Narrative
On August 29, 1994, at 1500 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N4478A, registered to and operated by Henry J. Orth of Anchorage, Alaska, nosed over during the landing roll on a gravel bar located at the confluence of the Hartman River and South Fork of the Kuskokwim River. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed a field site for a local hunting flight. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane received substantial damage. According to the pilot he landed on a gravel bar and during the landing roll, while applying brake pressure, the airplane's wheels hit a soft spot and the airplane nosed over.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN4478A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility99 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO