AIRCRAFT 1 PRELIMINARY REPORT

On February 25, 2000, about 1630 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Cessna 180H airplane, N8221V, received substantial damage while taxiing for takeoff at the Ophir airstrip, Ophir, Alaska. The solo airline transport pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed McGrath, Alaska, about 1555, en route to Ophir. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) on February 28, the pilot/owner of the airplane related he was flying with a group of other pilots and airplanes in support of the annual Iditarod dogsled race. He said he was landing at Ophir to put in a check point. He said he landed to the east, and was turning around at the east end of the airstrip for a departure to the west. During the turn, he said the right ski penetrated the snow crust, and dropped into soft snow, allowing the right horizontal stabilizer to contact the snow. The NTSB IIC inspected the airplane on February 28 at Ward's Air in Anchorage, Alaska. The horizontal stabilizer's main spar was buckled. The U.S. Government Alaska Supplement includes an airport listing for Ophir. Under the Airport Remarks section, it reads, in part: "Unattended. Runway not usable and not maintained."

AIRCRAFT 1 FINAL REPORT

The pilot reported he was taxiing his ski-equipped airplane on a snow-covered taxiway. In preparation for takeoff, he said he made a left turn toward the runway, and the right main landing gear ski penetrated the snow crust, allowing the right horizontal stabilizer to strike the snow and sustain substantial damage. The U.S. Government Alaska Supplement includes an airport listing for Ophir. Under the Airport Remarks section, it reads, in part: 'Unattended. Runway not usable and not maintained.'

AIRCRAFT 1 CAUSE REPORT

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable taxi area. A factor associated with the accident was the soft, snow-covered terrain.

END REPORT