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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

August 11, 1999 · Piper PA-18 · N221BC

Skwentna, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 11, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Skwentna, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N221BC
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC99LA117

The private certificated pilot was landing at a remote airstrip to inspect some personal property at the accident location. The airstrip, about 1,150 feet long, and 150 feet wide, had been in use several years ago, but over time had become slightly overgrown with bushes. The pilot said he made several passes over the strip to check for hazards and assess its suitability for use. The pilot decided to land toward the west, and touched down with the tail wheel first. The main landing gear tires then contacted several bushes that were taller than the pilot anticipated. The airplane then nosed over, and received damage to the vertical stabilizer, the rudder, and wing ribs on both wings.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor was high vegetation.

Full Narrative

On August 11, 1999, about 1230 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N221BC, sustained substantial damage during landing at a remote airstrip, about 12 miles north of Skwentna, Alaska, about latitude 62 degrees, 10 minutes north, and longitude 151 degrees, 00 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Birchwood Airport, Chugiak, Alaska, about 1050. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 16, 1999, the pilot reported he intended to land and inspect some personal property at the accident location. The airstrip, about 1,150 feet long, and 150 feet wide, had been in use several years ago, but over time had become slightly overgrown with bushes. The pilot said he made several passes over the strip to check for hazards and assess its suitability for use. The pilot decided to land toward the west, and touched down with the tail wheel first. The main landing gear tires then contacted several bushes that were taller than the pilot anticipated. The airplane then nosed over, and received damage to the vertical stabilizer, the rudder, and wing ribs on both wings.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway27
Runway Length1150 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN221BC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A1A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data