Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor was the snow machine ruts creating a rough landing surface.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On March 3, 1998, at 1700 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Cessna 180H airplane, N4751U, sustained substantial damage when its left wing impacted trees during landing roll at the Tatitna landing strip, Tatitna, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot and the one passenger aboard were not injured. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight from Rainbow Lake in Big Lake, Alaska, to Tatitna. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a VFR flight plan was filed.
The pilot stated to the NTSB investigator that during his landing roll, the airplane's skis encountered a snow machine rut, and began to track to the left. The pilot said he applied power and full right rudder, but the left wing contacted willow trees on the side of the 1,200 feet long by 12 feet wide, snow covered landing strip.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC98LA024