Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper inflight planning/decision, and his failure to attain the proper touchdown point. Factors were the rain and the rough/uneven terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot said he was landing at a narrow and rough remote hunting site, and his forward visibility was limited by heavy rain. He mistakenly touched down about 10 ft to the left side of the landing area onto rough terrain. The nose gear collapsed and the left wing hit the ground.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 21, 1993, at 1930 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 172 airplane, N3817S, experienced a collapsed nose landing gear while landing at a remote strip adjacent to the Knik Glacier, approximately 10 miles east of Palmer, Alaska. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Palmer at 1900. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone interview with the pilot shortly after the accident, he stated the following in part: "The purpose of the flight was to hunt moose. The strip was narrow and rough. It was raining heavy and my forward visibility was bad. I mistakenly touched down about 10 feet to the left side of the landing area. The nose gear collapsed and the left wing hit the ground." While the accident was reported by the pilot on August 22, 1993, the amount of damage was not determined until an aircraft mechanic, Mr. Ray Block, of Palmer, recovered the airplane on August 31, 1993. Mr. Block stated that the rear spar in the left wing was damaged and would have to be replaced. -