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NTSB Report
April 13, 1996 · Piper PA-11 · N4791M
Paxson, AK
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 13, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Paxson, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-11
Tail Number
N4791M
Operator
Mark W Barkdull
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC96LA055
The student pilot reported that he was landing on a snow covered, off-airport landing site to watch a winter sports competition. During the landing roll, the main landing gear skis broke through the soft snow and the airplane nosed over.
NTSB Probable Cause
the student pilot's selection of an unsuitable off airport landing site. Factors associated with the accident were the soft and snow covered terrain.
Full Narrative
On March 13, 1996, about 1330 Alaska daylight time, a ski equipped Piper PA-11 airplane, N4791M, sustained substantial damage while landing at an off airport site near Paxson, Alaska. The solo student pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight originated at the Lake Hood Airstrip, Anchorage, Alaska, and operated in visual meteorological conditions. The student pilot reported the accident on March 23. In a written statement provided to the NTSB investigator-in-charge, he wrote that he was landing the airplane on a snow covered surface. During the landing roll, the landing gear skis broke through the snow, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot said he was landing the airplane to watch the Arctic Iron Man competition.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-11
Tail NumberN4791M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMark W Barkdull
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C1 · Reciprocating · 108
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO