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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

June 16, 2004 · Piper PA-18 · N18ZF

Mcgrath, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 16, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Mcgrath, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N18ZF
Operator
Cub Driver
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC04LA065

The commercial certificated pilot was landing in an open area of tundra next to a creek. As the airplane touched down, the pilot said he realized that the tundra surface was soft and wet. During the landing roll, the main landing gear tires dug into the soft terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot, who is a certificated aviation mechanic, reported that the airplane received damage to the left wing lift strut, the rudder, and the vertical stabilizer.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing over during the landing roll. A factor contributing to the accident was the presence of soft tundra.

Full Narrative

On June 16, 2004, about 1000 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N18ZF, sustained substantial damage when it encountered soft terrain and nosed over during the landing roll in a remote area, about 24 miles north-northwest of McGrath, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The commercial certificated pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the McGrath Airport about 0930. No flight plan was filed, nor was one required. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on June 16, the pilot reported that he was landing in an open area of tundra next to a creek. As the airplane touched down, the pilot said he realized that the tundra surface was soft and wet. During the landing roll, the main landing gear tires dug into the soft terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot, who is a certificated aviation mechanic, reported that the airplane received damage to the left wing lift strut, the rudder, and the vertical stabilizer.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN18ZF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCub Driver
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 5 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data