Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilots selection of unsuitable terrain on which to land. A factor was the soft, wet, rough area on the strip.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
Approximately 300 feet after touching down on the dirt strip the airplane encountered a soft muddy area about 6 to 8 feet long. The airplane's nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. The pilot said that just prior to landing he made two low passes over the strip. He said he saw other airplane tire tracks on the strip so thought it was suitable for a landing.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 10, 1993, at 1930 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 182 airplane, N6374B, nosed over while landing at a remote strip approximately 7 miles southeast of Blair Lakes, Alaska. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The local personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Fairbanks, Alaska at 1845. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. Shortly after the accident, during a telephone interview, the pilot stated the following in part: "We were looking for a place to hunt, and wanted to land at this strip. Tire tracks on the ground indicated that other airplanes had landed there recently. I made two low passes and the surface appeared suitable, so I made a soft field landing. Shortly after touchdown I encountered a soft muddy area about 6 to 8 feet long which caused the nose gear to collapse and the airplane to nose over." -