N3100Z

On August 28, 1998, about 1300 Alaska daylight time, N3100Z, a wheel equipped Piper PA-22 airplane converted to a tailwheel configuration, sustained substantial damage during an aborted landing at an off airport landing site, about 80 miles northeast of Arctic Village, 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 certificated private pilot and the one passenger aboard were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Chalkyitsik Airport, Chalkyitsik, Alaska, about 1115.

In his written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot reported that he was landing to the west on the 900 feet long landing site. He stated that after touchdown he realized he would be unable to stop the airplane before reaching the end of the landing site, and attempted to abort the landing. He said that he applied full takeoff power, and the airplane became airborne, but failed to gain sufficient altitude to clear rising terrain at the end of the site. The airplane collided with a dry creek bed, and sustained substantial damage to the wings, and fuselage.

The pilot noted that wind conditions at the time of the accident were estimated to be from the southeast at 5 knots, with peak gusts to 10 knots.

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