N3824M

On August 31, 1999, about 1430 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N3824M, sustained substantial damage while landing at a remote area, about 53 miles west of Skwentna, Alaska, at latitude 62 degrees, 03.978 minutes north, and longitude 153 degrees, 03.011 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area positioning flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot, a hunting guide doing business as High Country Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, an assistant guide with the company, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect.

The accident was reported by another airplane pilot flying over the area.

On September 4, 1999, during a telephone conversation with a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator, the pilot reported he was planning to land on a ridge with his assistant guide to establish a camp for his hunting clients. He said the landing area is oriented north/south at 3,500 feet msl in the Ptarmigan Pass area of the Alaska Mountain Range, and that he had landed on the ridge numerous times in the past. He said he made several low passes over the area to assess the landing area and wind conditions. During the low passes over the ridge, he noted a quartering wind from the northeast of 10 miles per hour with no wind gusts. He said he landed on the ridge, but just after touchdown, encountered a wind gust that pushed the airplane to the left. He added engine power to abort the landing. He said the tailwheel came off the ground, and he turned the airplane downhill to gain airspeed, but the right wing, and main tires struck the ground on the downhill side of the ridge. The airplane received damage to the landing gear, and the right wing spar.