Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site. A factor associated with the accident is the rough and uneven sandbar.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported he was landing on a sandbar near the mouth of a river when he noticed a 'significant' depression in the sandbar during the landing roll. He said the airplane was going too fast to stop, and too slow to attempt to takeoff and miss the depression. The airplane sustained substantial damage when it encountered the rough terrain.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 10, 1995, about 1900 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Christen A-1 "Husky" airplane, N9622V, registered to the pilot/operator, sustained substantial damage while landing on a sandbar at the mouth of the Olsen River. The accident location is approximately 12 miles north of Tyonek, Alaska. The airline transport certificated pilot and the sole passenger aboard were not injured. The personal flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot reported that during the landing roll he saw a "significant" depression in the sandbar, but that the airplane was going too fast to stop, and too slow to abort the landing and attempt to takeoff. He said the right main landing gear axle failed upon encountering the depression, the airplane swung to the right, and then the left main landing gear collapsed, allowing the airplane to nose down. -