GENERAL INFORMATION FOR NTSB REPORT: ANC00LA028
Data Source NTSB AVIATION ACCIDENT/INCIDENT DATABASE
NTSB Report Nbr ANC00LA028
Event Id 20001212X20441
Local Date 02/17/2000
Local Time 1130
State AK
Event Type ACCIDENT
Injury Severity NONE
Record Status FINAL
Mid Air Collision NO
Event Location OFF AIRPORT/AIRSTRIP

WEATHER INFORMATION
Weather Briefing Complete UNKNOWN
Basic Weather Conditions VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL COND
Light Condition DAY
Cloud Condition UNKNOWN
Cloud Height above Ground Level (ft) 0
Ceiling Height above Ground Level (ft) 1500
Cloud Type BROKEN
Visibility RVR (ft) 0
Visibility RVV (sm) 0
Visibility (sm) 3
Wind Direction (deg) 0
Wind Condition Flag U
Wind Speed (knots) 0
Wind Condition Indicated Calm

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
Aircraft 1
Type of Operation PART 91: GENERAL AVIATION
Registration Number N7164B
Aircraft Make PIPER
Aircraft Model PA18
Aircraft Series UNDESIGNATED SERIES
Aircraft Damage SUBSTANTIAL
Aircraft Fire NONE
Aircraft Explosion NONE
Aircraft Type AIRPLANE
Aircraft Homebuilt UNKNOWN
Phase of Flight LANDING
Aircraft Use PERSONAL
Flight Plan Filed NONE
Operator Name
Operator Doing Business As
Owner Name LARRY D. NICHOLSON
Number of Seats 2
Number of Engines 1
ELT Installed YES
ELT Operated YES
Departure Airport Id PABV
Departure City CHUGIAK
Departure State ALASKA
Last Departure Point NO
Destination Local CRASH AT DESTINATION CITY
Destination Airport Id
Destination City
Runway Id 0
Air Carrier Operating Certificates YES
Air Carrier Other Operating Certificates UNKNOWN
Rotocraft/Agriculture Operating Certificate UNKNOWN
Cert Max Gross Wgt 1750

ENGINE INFORMATION

Aircraft 1 - Engine : #1
Engine Manufactuer Lycoming
Engine Model O-320-A2B
Engine Horsepower 160
Engine Thrust HP
Carb/Injection CARBURETOR

INJURY INFORMATION
Injury Summary for Aircraft 1
Fatal Serious Minor None
Crew 0 0 0 0
Pass 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 2
Sequence of Events for Aircraft 1
Occurrence #1
ON GROUND/WATER ENCOUNTER WITH TERRAIN/WATER
Phase of Operation: LANDING - ROLL

Events Sequence for Occurrence #1 of Aircraft 1
Event Seq # Event Group Code Subject Modifier Personnel Cause/Factor
1 1 TERRAIN CONDITION SNOW COVERED FACTOR
2 2 UNSUITABLE TERRAIN OR TAKEOFF/LANDING/TAXI AREA SELECTED PILOT IN COMMAND CAUSE
3 1 TERRAIN CONDITION SOFT FACTOR

Occurrence #2
NOSE OVER
Phase of Operation: LANDING - ROLL

Events Sequence for Occurrence #2 of Aircraft 1
Event Seq # Event Group Code Subject Modifier Personnel Cause/Factor




AIRCRAFT 1 PRELIMINARY REPORT


On February 17, 2000, about 1130 Alaska standard time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N7164B, sustained substantial damage during landing at a remote area, about 20 miles west-southwest of Willow, Alaska, at latitude 61 degrees, 47.60 minutes north, and longitude 150 degrees, 43.17 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The commercial certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Birchwood Airport, Chugiak, Alaska, about 1100. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on February 18, 2000, the pilot reported he landed along the Yentna River the previous day to assist the passenger in locating a lost snow machine. Overnight, about 4 to 6 inches of snow fell in the area. On the accident date, the pilot landed in his tracks from the previous day. During the landing roll, he said the new snow layer slowed the airplane dramatically, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the vertical stabilizer, the rudder, and the left wing lift strut.

AIRCRAFT 1 FINAL REPORT


The commercial certificated pilot was landing a tundra tire equipped airplane at a remote area next to a frozen river. The pilot had landed at the same location the previous day to assist his passenger in locating a lost snow machine. Overnight, about 4 to 6 inches of snow fell in the area. On the accident date, the pilot landed in his tracks from the previous day. During the landing roll, the new snow layer slowed the airplane dramatically, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the vertical stabilizer, the rudder, and the left wing lift strut.

AIRCRAFT 1 CAUSE REPORT


The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Factors in the accident were soft, snow covered terrain.


END REPORT