Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that it had snowed approximately 18 inches on the mountain ridge. His guide and client stamped out a landing area and estimated the stamped down snow to be 2 to 3 inches deep. The pilot landed the airplane and during the roll out the airplane's wheels hit a small depression where the snow was 8 to 10 inches deep. The airplane nosed over and bent the propeller and wing lift strut.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 21, 1996, at 1300 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N9366D, registered to and operated by the pilot, nosed over during an off airport landing on a mountain ridge near Noatak, Alaska. The business flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91 for the purpose of hunt guiding, departed a remote field site and the destination was the location of the accident. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane received substantial damage. During a telephone conversation with the pilot on October 7, 1996, he stated that it had snowed approximately 18 inches on the mountain ridge. His guide and client stamped out a landing area and estimated the stamped down snow to be 2 to 3 inches deep. The pilot landed the airplane and during the roll out the airplane's wheels hit a small depression where the snow was 8 to 10 inches deep. The airplane nosed over and bent the propeller and a wing lift strut. -