SLEETMUTE, AK, USA
N9018L
Champion 7GCBC
The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) that he landed long on an off airport gravel bar, and attempted to abort the landing. He said the airplane became airborne, and the wind died. The airplane's landing gear contacted brush, and the airplane landed hard. He said the winds were 15 to 20 knots. The pilot of a second airplane said the landing area had washed out, and was unsuitable for landing.
On September 6, 1999, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a Champion 7GCBC airplane, N9018L, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on a gravel bar about 20 miles south of Sleetmute, Alaska, at 61 degrees 30 minutes north latitude, 157 degrees 00 minutes west longitude. The solo private pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight to the pilot's hunting camp on the south fork of the Kuskokwim River. The Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight departed Birchwood Airport, Chugiak, Alaska, about 1200. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) on September 21, after discharge from the hospital, the pilot stated that he was landing to the south, landed long, and attempted to abort the landing. The pilot indicated that the airplane became airborne, and the wind died. The airplane's landing gear contacted brush, and the airplane landed hard. Both main landing gear assemblies collapsed, and both wing struts were bent. The pilot described the winds from the southeast at 15 to 20 knots. The pilot described the landing as hard, but not severe. He said the airplane landed level, and "did not even bend the seats." He stated he only received minor injuries. A review by the NTSB IIC of medical records revealed the pilot suffered a serious spinal injury. The pilot was admitted to a hospital for spinal surgery. The pilot of a second airplane, who transported the pilot to Anchorage, described him in extreme pain. This pilot also said the landing area had washed out, and was unsuitable for landing. The pilot did not return the NTSB Pilot/Operator report (6120.1/2) which was provided to him. The registered owner of the airplane did not return the NTSB Pilot/Operator report which was provided to him.
The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. A factor in this accident was the rough and uneven gravel bar.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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