JAY CREEK, AK, USA
N6066D
PIPER PA-22
THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE FLYING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS THE CEILING AND VISIBILITY GRADUALLY GOT WORSE TO WHERE HE DID NOT THINK HE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH THE DESIRED AREA. HE TURNED AROUND, FLEW FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, THEN DECIDED TO LAND ON A GRAVEL BAR TO WAIT FOR THE WEATHER TO IMPROVE TO TRY THE FLIGHT AGAIN. ABOUT 20 FEET AFTER TOUCHING DOWN THE LEFT MAIN WHEEL HIT A ROCK. THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED AND THE LEFT WING HIT THE GROUND.
On August 21, 1993, at 1200 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA 22 airplane, N6066D, collided with a large rock while landing on a gravel bar at Jay Creek, located about 80 miles northeast of Talkeetna, Alaska. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Talkeetna at 1100. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and a company VFR flight plan was filed. Shortly after the accident, during a telephone interview the pilot stated the following in part: "While flying through the mountains the ceiling and visibility gradually got worse to where I didn't think I would be able to get through the area where I wanted to. I turned around, flew for about 15 minutes, then decided to land on a gravel bar to wait for the weather to improve, then try it again. About 20 feet after touching down the left main wheel hit a 30 to 40 pound rock. The left wing tip hit the ground and both wing struts were bent."
THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH TO LAND.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
