Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate lookout. Factors involved in this accident were sunglare, and a tall bush next to the airstrip.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On August 16, 2000, about 2030 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-11 airplane, N78635, sustained substantial damage when it contacted brush during landing at the MacLeod Harbor Airstrip, Montague Island, Alaska, at 59 degrees, 52.3 minutes north latitude, 147 degrees, 45.11 minutes west longitude. The solo private pilot was not injured. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a VFR flight plan was filed.
During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on August 17, the pilot stated he had established a long, flat, final approach to land on the 1000 feet long by 40 feet wide airstrip. He stated there was a strong crosswind from the right, and the sun was low and glaring off the water. He indicated that 10 feet above the airstrip the propeller contacted a single tall bush which he had not seen. He said the airplane stopped flying, spun around, and came to rest on the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, and the empennage.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC00LA104