AIRCRAFT 1 PRELIMINARY REPORT

On August 5, 2000, about 1030 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N2796M, sustained substantial damage while landing on a road, about 25 miles west of Anchorage, Alaska, about latitude 61 degrees, 20 minutes north, and longitude 150 degrees, 45 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 private certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Lake Hood Strip, Anchorage, about 0945. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 5, 2000, the pilot reported he was landing near the Theodore River to go fishing. He said he decided to land on a road, adjacent to power lines. He said he was landing toward the south, and the wind was from the southwest about 8 knots. During the landing approach, he reduced engine power to begin the landing flare, and the left wing struck some high brush. The airplane pivoted to the left, and the tailwheel also struck the brush. The airplane then nosed over. The airplane received damage to the wings, wing lift struts, the tailwheel, and fuselage.

AIRCRAFT 1 FINAL REPORT

The private certificated pilot was landing on a road adjacent to power lines. During the landing approach, he reduced engine power to begin the landing flare, and the left wing struck some high brush along the edge of the road. The airplane pivoted to the left, and the tailwheel also struck the brush. The airplane then nosed over. The airplane received damage to the wings, wing lift struts, the tailwheel, and fuselage.

AIRCRAFT 1 CAUSE REPORT

The pilots selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor was high brush along side the landing area.

END REPORT