N4955A

On October 15, 1998, about 0845 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N4955A, sustained substantial damage while landing at an off airport site located about 18 miles west of Anchorage, 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 commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage, about 0815.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on October 15, the pilot reported that he was landing to the west on a remote dirt road. The pilot stated that while on approach to the west, he encountered winds from the north at 15 knots, with gusts to 25 knots. He reported that as the airplane touched down, a strong gust of wind blew the airplane to the left, and the left wheel contacted loose gravel. The pilot stated that he applied full power in an attempt to abort the landing, but the airplane did not have sufficient airspeed to regain flight. The airplane veered off the road, and the left wheel struck a piece of driftwood. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane's left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, and fuselage.

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