Summary
On April 04, 1998, a Piper PA-18 (N4320Z) was involved in an incident near Talkeetna, 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 selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Factors in the accident were snow covered terrain, and a hidden obstruction.
On April 4, 1998, about 1300 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N4320Z, sustained substantial damage while landing on a remote river gravel bar, about 40 miles northeast of Talkeetna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane is registered to, and operated by the pilot. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC98LA035. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4320Z.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Factors in the accident were snow covered terrain, and a hidden obstruction.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On April 4, 1998, about 1300 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N4320Z, sustained substantial damage while landing on a remote river gravel bar, about 40 miles northeast of Talkeetna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane is registered to, and operated by the pilot. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Talkeetna Airport, about 1200.
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on April 7, 1998, at 1320, the pilot reported he was landing on a snow covered gravel bar. During the landing roll, the landing gear skis struck an object buried in the snow. The pilot added power, and departed without stopping. The pilot did not observe what type of object was in the snow. The pilot returned to Talkeetna, and discovered damage to the fuselage at the right main landing gear attach point.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC98LA035