N3233M

On September 2, 2002, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N3233M, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during landing at a remote airstrip, about 20 miles north of Chickaloon, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country positioning flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Grasshopper Aviation, Wasilla, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Wasilla Airport, about 1615.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 3, the pilot reported he was landing on an airstrip known as 30 mile strip to pick up a hunter. The gravel surface airstrip, oriented north/south, is about 900 feet long and 10 feet wide. The pilot said he was landing toward the north. During the landing roll, the pilot reported that the tail came up too high, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the propeller, cowling, right wing, the right wing lift strut, and the top of the rudder.