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NTSB Report

August 29, 1995 · Piper PA-18 · N7786D

Sleetmute, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 29, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Sleetmute, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N7786D
Operator
Crescent Lake Lodge
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC95LA154

THE PILOT AND A PASSENGER WERE LANDING AT A REMOTE HUNTING LODGE. THE PILOT LANDED TO THE WEST WITH A 7 KNOT CROSSWIND FROM THE SOUTH. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED TO THE LEFT AND VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE AIRSTRIP, ACROSS A BERM. THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED, AND THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE RIGHT GEAR STRUT FAILED DURING THE LANDING. THE PILOT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE GEAR STRUT MAY HAVE FAILED DUE TO INTERNAL CORROSION; HOWEVER, AN INSPECTION DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF CORROSION.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S ADEQUATE COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE CROSSWIND WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

Full Narrative

On August 29, 1995, about 1300 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18, N7786D, crashed during landing at a remote airstrip, about 20 miles south of Sleetmute, Alaska, along the Holitna river. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country hunt/guide business flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to the pilot and operated by Crescent Lake Lodge, Sleetmute, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Sleetmute airstrip about 1230. The pilot reported that he was landing at the lodge to transport a hunter to the lodge. The airstrip is about 1,200 feet long at 250 feet mean sea level, on a 090/270 degree orientation. The pilot landed to the west with a 7 knot cross-wind from the south. During the landing roll, the airplane ground looped to the left and veered off the left side of the airstrip, across a berm. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing contacted the ground. The pilot indicated that the right gear strut failed during the landing; however, the landing gear was restrained by the gear safety cable. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported that the pilot was concerned that the gear strut may have failed due to internal corrosion. An inspection by the inspector did not reveal any evidence of corrosion.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 AKDT
Nearest AirportCresent Lake Lodge (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length1200 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN7786D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCrescent Lake Lodge
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 7 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data