Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot not using the checklist and landing with the skis pumped down.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The airplane was equipped with wheel skis. To operate on skis, the pilot has to pump down the skis. The wheels do not touch the runway's surface with the skis pumped down. The pilot stated he did not use the checklist and landed with the skis pumped down. He landed on the semi dry runway and the airplane nosed over.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 9, 1995, at 1830 Alaska daylight time, a wheel/ski equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N82735, registered to and operated by the Alaska Department of Public Safety, Alaska State Troopers, nosed over during landing at Copper Center #2, Copper Center, Alaska. The public use flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Copper Center #2 for a local flight. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The Pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. According to the Pilot, he landed on the semi dry runway with the skis pumped down. With the skis pumped down, the wheels did not touch the runway and the airplane nosed over. According to information provided by the Pilot on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he did not use the checklist before landing. -