N70604

Substantial
None

PIPER J3C 65S/N: 17613

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, October 10, 2013
NTSB Number
ANC14CA004
Location
Talkeetna, AK
Event ID
20131029X42326
Coordinates
62.618888, -150.958892
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's decision to make contact with an unsuitable landing surface, resulting in a nose over.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
17613
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1946
Model / ICAO
J3C 65J3
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
J3C-65

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
COLE AUDREY L
Address
PO BOX 190223
City
ANCHORAGE
State / Zip Code
AK 99519-0223
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot was performing a low pass of a snow-covered off-airport landing site, in a wheel-equipped airplane, to determine the condition of the snow pack. He was dragging the main landing gear on the landing surface, but the snow was deeper than expected, and the airplane nosed over sustaining substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have prevented 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# ANC14CA004