N4827D

On May 16, 1998, about 1930 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 182A airplane, N4827D, sustained substantial damage while landing at a private airstrip located about 5 miles west of Palmer, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no FAA flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Palmer Municipal Airport, Palmer, at 1915.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, on May 21, 1998, at 1015, the pilot reported that while on approach to the south runway, he encountered winds estimated to be from 220 degrees at 7 knots with gusts to 12 knots. He said as the airplane continued on the approach and went below the adjacent tree line, the rate of descent increased. He was unable to arrest the rate of descent prior to touchdown, and the airplane bounced on landing. He recovered from the bounce, and flew further down the runway and landed about midfield of the 1,250 feet long runway. He realized after touchdown he would be unable to stop the airplane before reaching the end of the runway, and he elected to make a hard turn to the right. During the turn, the left wing struck the ground and received substantial damage.

The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.