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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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September 26, 1993 · Piper PA-18 · N3862Z

Rocky River, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 26, 1993
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Rocky River, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N3862Z
Operator
Michael Michael David
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC93LA189

WHILE MAKING A LOW FLAT APPROACH, OVER AN OLD LOGGING ROAD, TO A REMOTE LANDING SITE, THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING HIT THE TOPS OF 3 SMALL SPRUCE TREES. THE AIRPLANE THEN COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN SHORT OF THE INTENDED LANDING AREA.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGING HIS ALTITUDE ON FINAL APPROACH.

Full Narrative

On September 26, 1993, at 1140 Alaska daylight time, the pilot of a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N3862Z, lost control and collided with the terrain while landing at a remote site at the Rocky River, located 12 miles southeast of Seldovia, Alaska. The commercial pilot and one passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Port Graham, Alaska, at 1100. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed. Following the accident, the pilot stated the following in part: "I was making a low flat approach, over an old logging road, to the landing area. About 300 yards from the selected touchdown point, and 10 feet above the ground, my left wingtip hit the tops of 3 small spruce trees. This pulled the airplane to the left some, and the left wheel down into some low brush, then onto the ground. Then we slid forward about 150 yards before coming to a stop. The airplane left the road and collided with a stump. I think one of the main wheels might have got into a rut on the road. Grass and weeds were growing on the old road. The airplane was equipped with 29 inch tundra tires."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:40 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN3862Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMichael Michael David
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind155° @ 3 kt, gusting 5 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data