Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Soft sandy terrain was a related factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The certificated private pilot was landing on a remote gravel bar that had recently been covered by sand. The landing area was about 600 feet long. During the landing roll, the main wheels sank into soft sand, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, propeller, and a wing lift strut.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 19, 1995, about 1800 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18, N3183Z, crashed during landing in the Lake George area, about 18 miles northeast of Girdwood, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Butte Municipal airport, Palmer, Alaska, about 1600. The pilot reported that he was landing on a remote gravel bar that had recently been covered by sand. The landing area was about 600 feet long. The pilot landed to the south and during the landing roll, the main wheels sank into soft sand and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, propeller, and a wing lift strut. The pilot was rescued the following day after he activated the airplane's emergency locator transmitter (ELT). -