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August 26, 2004 · Piper PA-18 · N8597D

Paxson, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 26, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Paxson, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N8597D
Operator
40 Mile Air
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC04LA096

The airline transport certificated pilot was landing a tundra tire-equipped airplane at a remote landing spot at the conclusion of an on-demand passenger flight. The pilot said the landing area was a rocky ledge, about 900 feet long, and about 12 feet wide, located along the edge of a glacier, about 5,500 feet msl. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear collided with a rock, and the gear collapsed. The right wing struck the ground, and received damage to the wing spar. The pilot indicated that the visibility in the area consisted of hazy conditions with smoke and light rain.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a collision with a rock and subsequent main landing gear collapse during the landing roll. A factor contributing to the accident was rough, uneven terrain.

Full Narrative

On August 26, 2004, about 0830 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N8597D, sustained substantial damage when the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground during the landing roll at a remote landing spot, about 28 miles north of Paxson, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country on-demand passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by 40 Mile Air Ltd., Tok, Alaska. The airline transport certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Tok Junction Airport, Tok, Alaska, about 0730. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 26, the pilot reported that he was landing toward the west along the edge of the Spur Glacier, about 5,500 feet msl. The pilot said the landing area was a rocky ledge, about 900 feet long, and about 12 feet wide. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear collided with a rock, and the gear collapsed. The right wing struck the ground and received damage to the wing spar, outboard of the wing lift strut attach point. The pilot indicated that the visibility in the area consisted of hazy conditions with smoke and light rain.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN8597D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operator40 Mile Air
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data