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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

October 20, 1995 · Piper PA-18 · N3183Z

Girdwood, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 20, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Girdwood, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N3183Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC96LA007

The certificated private pilot was landing on a remote gravel bar that had recently been covered by sand. The landing area was about 600 feet long. During the landing roll, the main wheels sank into soft sand, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, propeller, and a wing lift strut.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Soft sandy terrain was a related factor.

Full Narrative

On October 19, 1995, about 1800 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18, N3183Z, crashed during landing in the Lake George area, about 18 miles northeast of Girdwood, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Butte Municipal airport, Palmer, Alaska, about 1600. The pilot reported that he was landing on a remote gravel bar that had recently been covered by sand. The landing area was about 600 feet long. The pilot landed to the south and during the landing roll, the main wheels sank into soft sand and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, propeller, and a wing lift strut. The pilot was rescued the following day after he activated the airplane's emergency locator transmitter (ELT).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN3183Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingOvercast 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data