Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's selection of an unsuitable portion of the 6,000 foot long gravel runway for landing. A factor associated with the accident was: the soft gravel berm on the runway.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported he was landing on a 6,000 foot long gravel runway. He said he did not see a soft, gravel berm on the runway prior to landing. The accident airplane's main landing gear encountered the gravel berm, and the left main wheel separated from the landing gear at the axle. The airplane subsequently nosed down.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 17, 1995, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N3334M, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage while landing at Aniak Airport, Aniak, Alaska. The solo private pilot was not injured. The personal flight operated without a flight plan in visual meteorological conditions. The flight departed Grayling, Alaska, time unknown, and the destination was Aniak. The pilot reported soon after he landed on the 6,000 foot long gravel runway, the main landing gear encountered an unseen, soft gravel berm. He said the left main landing gear wheel sheared at the axle, and the airplane nosed down. -