Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor was the animal on the runway.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
Just as the airplane was about to touch down a caribou appeared on the runway, immediately in front of the airplane. The pilot ballooned the airplane over the caribou then touched down on the runway. He then lost directional control and ground looped the airplane, causing the left wing and tail to hit the ground. The pilot had aborted his first approach because of a caribou on the runway.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 31, 1993, at 1805 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N3680C, lost control and dragged a wing while landing at Sparrevohn Long Range Radar Station (LRRS), Alaska. The commercial pilot and one passenger, his 19 year old son, were not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Six Mile Lake, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, at 1607. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. Following the accident, during a telephone interview, the pilot stated the following in part: "I aborted my first approach and made a go around because a bull caribou suddenly showed up in my intended touchdown area. A resident at Sparrevohn came out with a vehicle and chased the caribou away. All appeared well for the second approach until just before I was to touch down, a caribou darted in front of me from the right side. The airplane ballooned over the caribou then touched down on the runway. I then lost directional control and the airplane ground looped, causing the left wing, elevator and horizontal stabilizer to hit the ground. I had seen several caribou near the runway during the approach, but did not see this one until I almost hit it. I was landing up hill with an 8 knot tailwind. The gravel runway was dry and smooth at the time." -