Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Factors in the accident were rough/uneven terrain, and an overload failure of the main landing gear landing strut.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On August 22, 2001, about 1000 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-22 airplane, N6949B, sustained substantial damage during a landing about 38 miles southwest of Sparrevohn, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 27, 2001, the pilot reported that he was landing in a remote area to go hunting. During the landing touchdown, the left main landing gear tire hit a hole. The left main landing gear strut fractured and the tire was pushed upward, into the left wing lift strut. The pilot said that he remained at the accident scene until August 24th, when a friend arrived with parts for 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# ANC01LA125