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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

September 12, 1993 · Piper PA-18 · N82081

Mosquito River, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 12, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Mosquito River, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N82081
Operator
40 Mile Air
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC93LA177

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS MAKING A LOW PASS OVER THE AREA TO EVALUATE IT FOR A POSSIBLE FUTURE LANDING AREA WITH HUNTING CLIENTS. DURING THE LOW PASS THE RIGHT WHEEL TOUCHED DOWN IN A HOLE, CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO BOUNCE. ABOUT 25 FEET LATER IT TOUCHED DOWN IN ANOTHER HOLE, THEN NOSED OVER.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER ALTITUDE DURING THE LOW PASS. A FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 11, 1993, at 1700 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N82081, operated by 40 Mile Air, Ltd of Tok, Alaska, collided with the terrain and nosed over while maneuvering at the Mosquito River, located approximately 45 miles northwest of Tok. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The local business flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Tok at 1630. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot stated that he was "dragging the strip" in an attempt to evaluate the suitability of the area for a future landing area with hunting clients. During the low pass the right wheel touched down in a hole, causing the airplane to bounce. About 25 feet later it touched down in another hole, then nosed over. The right wing strut and the rudder were substantially damaged. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Mr. Lavell Wilson, Director of Operations for 40 Mile Air, stated that the results were negative from the pilot's post-accident toxicological tests.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN82081
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operator40 Mile Air
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120°
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data