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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

August 20, 1994 · Piper PA-12 · N2389M

Chickaloon, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 20, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Chickaloon, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-12
Tail Number
N2389M
Operator
Benedict Joel
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC94LA122

THE PILOT/ASSISTANT HUNT GUIDE AND A PASSENGER/HUNTER WERE COMPLETING A BUSINESS CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT TO TRANSPORT THE PASSENGER TO A GAME HUNTING SITE FOR A GUIDE/OUTFITTER COMPANY. THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON A 600-FOOT-LONG REMOTE TUNDRA AIRSTRIP IN A TUNDRA TIRE EQUIPPED AIRPLANE AT 4,500 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL IN AN AREA OF ROUGH, RISING TERRAIN. THE PILOT REPORTED A SLIGHT TAIL WIND FROM THE RIGHT REAR QUARTER WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO DIVERGE TO THE LEFT TOWARD AN ORANGE CONE AT THE LEFT EDGE OF THE STRIP. THE PILOT ADDED POWER FOR A GO-AROUND; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT CLIMB AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. FACTORS WERE THE RISING, ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN AND THE TAILWIND.

Full Narrative

On August 20, 1994, at 1000 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire wheel equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N2389M, owned and operated by the pilot-in-command, collided with terrain during an attempted go-around from a remote tundra strip on the Chickaloon River. The pilot/assistant hunt guide for Chickaloon Guide and Outfitters, Palmer, Alaska, and his passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight, which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 for the purpose of transporting the passenger/hunter to a game site, last departed another remote tundra strip at 0940 and the intended destination was the accident location. The pilot reported that visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area of the mishap and no flight plan was in effect. The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge during a telephone interview on August 21, 1994, that shortly after touching down on a rough tundra strip, the airplane diverged toward an orange cone which was located along the left edge of the strip about 200 feet beyond the approach end. The pilot estimated the landing strip to be 600 feet in length at an elevation of 4,500 feet mean sea level in an area of rising terrain. He also indicated that during the final approach phase of the landing, he encountered a light tail wind from the right rear quarter of the airplane. The pilot attempted to go-around but the airplane would not climb and it collided with the terrain. The pilot said that he did not experience any problems with the plane which went through its last annual about 10 days prior to the mishap.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Runway Length600 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-12
Tail NumberN2389M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBenedict Joel
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 5 kt, gusting 10 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data