N4058Z

On May 23, 1998, about 0800 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N4058Z, was destroyed after colliding with ocean surf, about 30 miles southwest of Cold Bay, 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 private pilot/airplane owner and the one passenger aboard were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Cold Bay Airport, at 0611.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on May 28, the pilot reported that he was landing to the west on a remote beach adjacent to the Bering Sea. When the airplane touched down, the left wing lifted, and the pilot attempted to abort the landing by applying full power and full left aileron. The airplane became airborne, veered to the right over the tidal surf, and collided with a large wave. The airplane sank, and the two occupants swam about 50 yards to shore. The pilot stated that he was unable to obtain full aileron deflection due to the control stick contacting the flap actuation lever.

No attempt has been made to recover the airplane wreckage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. He wrote in his written statement that wind conditions at the time of the accident were about 220 degrees at 8 knots.