Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was making an off airport landing to pick up his passengers. During the landing roll, a rock punctured the right tire and the tire went flat. He was unable to maintain directional control and the airplane departed the right side of the landing area. The airplane rolled into alder bushes and nosed over.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 24, 1996, at 1030 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Maule M-7 airplane, N897M, registered to David Glenn of Palmer, Alaska, and operated by Grasshopper Adventures of Palmer, nosed over during an off airport landing in Grasshopper Valley located 20 miles southeast of Palmer. The positioning flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Palmer and the destination was the location of the nose over. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. During a telephone conversation with the pilot on September 3, 1996, he stated that upon touchdown a rock punctured the right tire. He was unable to maintain directional control and the airplane ran off the right side of the landing area and into alder bushes. After striking the alder bushes the airplane nosed over. The pilot stated the airplane was equipped with 850 x 10 McCreary tires. -