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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 12, 2003 · Piper PA-18 · N83272

Talkeetna, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 12, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Talkeetna, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N83272
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC03CA077

The solo private pilot was landing a tundra tire-equipped airplane on a 500-foot long, off airport site. During the landing roll, the main landing gear wheels encountered soft terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder, wings, and left wing lift strut. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area, which resulted in an on ground encounter with soft terrain and subsequent nose over of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was soft terrain.

Full Narrative

On July 12, 2003, about 1045 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N83272, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during the landing roll at a remote off airport site located about 26 miles south of Talkeetna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The solo private pilot was not injured. The flight departed from a remote airstrip at Shulin Lake, located near Talkeetna, about 1000. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. According to the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, he was en route to Wasilla, Alaska, when he noticed a pair of moose antlers located near a dry river bed, and he elected to land and pick them up. During the landing roll on the 500-foot long site, the main landing gear wheels encountered soft terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder, wings, and left wing lift strut. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:45 AKDT
Nearest Airport26nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN83272
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data