PALMER, AK, USA
N6996D
PIPER PA-18
The certificated private pilot and a passenger were assessing a landing strip in remote and mountainous terrain. The landing area was located at 5,000 feet mean sea level, and numerous rain showers were present in the area. The pilot indicated that on the second low pass over the landing area, he was headed toward upsloping terrain, and his vision was obscured by rain. He noticed that the terrain was rising sharply and began a turn away from the slope. During the turn, the landing gear struck the tundra covered terrain. The airplane then descended into the terrain, and the airplane received damage to the landing gear, left wing, and propeller.
On September 9, 1995, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18, N6996D, collided with terrain while maneuvering, about 35 miles north of Palmer, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to the pilot's brother, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. The sole passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed. The flight originated at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1330. The pilot reported that he was assessing a landing strip in the area of the Chickaloon River. The remote and mountainous landing area was located at 5,000 feet mean sea level and numerous rain showers were present in the area. The pilot indicated that on the second low pass over the landing area, he was headed toward upsloping terrain and his vision was obscured by rain. He noticed that the terrain was rising sharply and began a turn away from the slope. During the turn, the landing gear struck the tundra covered terrain. The airplane then descended into the terrain and the airplane received damage to the landing gear, left wing, and propeller. The airplane's emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal was received by search personnel at 1839.
Failure of the pilot to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from terrain, during a low pass over a prospective (off-airport) landing area. Factors relating to the accident were: rain and rising/uneven terrain.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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