Summary
On March 17, 2013, a Piper PA-16 (N5942H) was involved in an incident near Big Lake, AK. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's decision to land on unsuitable terrain.
The pilot was landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane at a 1,400-foot-long, remote airstrip located on a frozen snow-covered lake. The surface of the airstrip appeared to be hard compacted snow with a turn-around at the south end of the airstrip. Before beginning the approach he determined a touchdown point in the turn-around area to afford maximum use of the landing surface. After touchdown the main wheels sank into the soft snow, and the airplane nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the rudder, lift struts and wings. Upon exiting the airplane, the pilot realized that the turn-around area was loose soft snow that had not been compacted. The pilot indicated there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC13CA034. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N5942H.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's decision to land on unsuitable terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot was landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane at a 1,400-foot-long, remote airstrip located on a frozen snow-covered lake. The surface of the airstrip appeared to be hard compacted snow with a turn-around at the south end of the airstrip. Before beginning the approach he determined a touchdown point in the turn-around area to afford maximum use of the landing surface. After touchdown the main wheels sank into the soft snow, and the airplane nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the rudder, lift struts and wings. Upon exiting the airplane, the pilot realized that the turn-around area was loose soft snow that had not been compacted. The pilot indicated there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC13CA034