Primary finding
Probable cause
The unsuitable terrain selected by the pilot-in-command. Factor was soft terrain condition.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot landed on a gravel strip. He expected the ground to be firm. The nose sank into the soft sand and the airplane nosed down and then dragged its wing.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 20, 1993, at 0600 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 172 airplane, N7300G, registered to and operated by Steve Reimers, of Iliamna, Alaska, nosed down and dragged a wing during a landing on a gravel strip in the Katmai National Forest, near Illiamna. The personal flight,operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Naknek, Alaska, and the destination was the accident site. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The FAA Commercial Certificated Pilot-in- Command and the two passengers were not injured and the airplane received substantial damage. According to the Pilot-in-Command, he landed on the gravel beach and the nose wheel sank into the sand. The airplane nosed down and struck its propeller and dragged the wing. The Pilot stated he expected a more firm surface. -