Summary
On June 28, 1995, a Piper PA-18-150 (N5238N) was involved in an incident near Tyonek, AK. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM TALL VEGETATION DURING A LOW PASS.
On June 27, 1995, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N5238N, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during a low pass preparatory to landing adjacent to the Chuitna River. The Chuitna River is located approximately 10 miles northwest of Tyonek, Alaska. The solo private pilot reported no injury. The flight departed Wasilla, Alaska, about 1400. The personal flight operated without a flight plan in visual meteorological conditions.
During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on July 2, 1995, the pilot reported he was flying at low altitude alongside the Chuitna River, looking for a place to land.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC95LA093. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N5238N.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM TALL VEGETATION DURING A LOW PASS.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On June 27, 1995, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N5238N, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during a low pass preparatory to landing adjacent to the Chuitna River. The Chuitna River is located approximately 10 miles northwest of Tyonek, Alaska. The solo private pilot reported no injury. The flight departed Wasilla, Alaska, about 1400. The personal flight operated without a flight plan in visual meteorological conditions.
During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on July 2, 1995, the pilot reported he was flying at low altitude alongside the Chuitna River, looking for a place to land. He said the grass he was flying over was taller than he anticipated, and that he inadvertently allowed the airplane's main landing gear to contact the grass. The grass then "pulled" the airplane down to the ground, where it nosed over.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC95LA093