SHAW CREEK, AK, USA
N3140M
PIPER PA-12
THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS INCIDENTAL TO THE OPERATION OF HIS LODGE. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, IT WAS COMMON FOR PILOTS TO USE THAT PORTION OF THE HIGHWAY FOR TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. ACCORDING TO THE HUSBAND OF ONE OF THE FATALLY INJURED PASSENGERS, THE PILOT WAS PLANNING TO LAND ON THE HIGHWAY, JUST AS HE HAD DONE PREVIOUSLY. ANOTHER WITNESS STATED THE AIRPLANE WAS PARALLELING THE HIGHWAY AND MADE A RIGHT TURN TOWARDS THE ROAD AND THE HILL. THE AIRPLANE THEN 'WOBBLED' SLIGHTLY, AND THEN DOVE TOWARD THE ROAD WITH THE RIGHT WING LOW. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED APPROXIMATELY 20 YARDS IN FRONT OF A TRACTOR TRAILER ON THE HIGHWAY. THE AIRPLANE BURST INTO FLAMES AND SLID INTO THE DITCH ALONGSIDE OF THE HIGHWAY.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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