AIRCRAFT 1 PRELIMINARY REPORT

On June 3, 2000, about 1200 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 182 airplane, N186RM, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during landing at an off airport gravel bar on the Theodore River, about 23 miles west of Anchorage, Alaska, at 61 degrees, 13 minutes north latitude, 150 degrees, 59 minutes west longitude. The private pilot, and the one passenger on board, were not injured. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge, during a telephone interview on June 5, and wrote in his NTSB Pilot/Operator report, that he flew over the landing area prior to landing, and it appeared the trees had been cut back. He indicated that he flew a long final approach and landed on a gravel bar. He stated there was about an eight knot wind from the right, the airplane drifted to the left, and the left wing contacted tree branches. He said the airplane turned left, he applied full brakes, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained damage to the left wing.

AIRCRAFT 1 FINAL REPORT

The pilot said that he flew over the landing area prior to landing, and it appeared the trees had been cut back. He indicated that he flew a long final approach and landed on a gravel bar. He stated there was about an eight knot wind from the right, the airplane drifted to the left, and the left wing contacted tree branches. He said the airplane turned left, he applied full brakes, and the airplane nosed over.

AIRCRAFT 1 CAUSE REPORT

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions, and his excessive use of brakes during landing. A factor associated with the accident was the trees alongside the landing area.

END REPORT