Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. A factor associated with the accident was grass covered rocks.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On August 18, 1998, about 1800 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N7099Y, sustained substantial damage while landing at an off airport site located about 75 miles southwest of Cordova, 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 flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 1745 from a remote hunting camp located about 3 miles southwest of the accident site.
In his written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot reported that he was landing in an open, grass covered meadow to pick up a deer that he had shot earlier in the day. He stated that while on approach, the airplane touched down about 10 feet short of his intended touchdown point. He stated that during touchdown, the right main landing gear struck a large rock that was covered by tall grass, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The right wing struck the ground, and sustained substantial damage.
The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC98LA126