Aviation Accident Summary ANC03LA063

PILOT POINT, AK, USA

Aircraft #1

N9897Y

Champion 7GCB

Analysis

The commercial certificated pilot was landing toward the east on a remote beach area. The pilot said the wind conditions were a 10 to 15 knot wind from the east-southeast, with occasional higher gusts from the south. During the landing roll, the pilot indicated that a gust of wind lifted the right wing, and the left wing contacted the sand. The airplane received structural damage to the left wing and the left elevator.

Factual Information

On June 28, 2003, about 1630 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Champion 7GCB airplane, N9897Y, sustained substantial damage when it dragged a wing during landing on a beach, about 59 miles east-northeast of Pilot Point, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The commercial certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the King Salmon Airport, King Salmon, Alaska, about 1530. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on June 30, the pilot reported that he was landing toward the east on the beach at Dry Bay, located on the east side of the Alaska Peninsula. The pilot said the wind conditions were a 10 to 15 knot wind from the east-southeast, with occasional higher gusts from the south. During the landing roll, the pilot indicated that a gust of wind lifted the right wing, and the left wing contacted the sand. The airplane received structural damage to the left wing and the left elevator.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain control of the airplane that resulted in the left wing striking the ground during the landing roll. A factor contributing to the accident was the presence of wind gusts.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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