On June 24, 1983, a Piper PA-18 (registration N2568J) was involved in an aviation accident near Palmer, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to take off from a glacier surface with slushy ice conditions, which resulted in the aircraft striking a hole in the ice and flipping over. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A sightseeing aircraft experienced engine roughness and power loss, prompting a precautionary landing on a glacier. During a subsequent takeoff attempt on slushy ice, the plane struck a hidden hole in the surface and overturned.
What happened
The aircraft was operating as a sightseeing flight when the engine began to lose power and run rough. The pilot decided to make a precautionary landing on a glacier. He was attempting to takeoff without pax and excess fuel due to slushy ice. The engine was developing full power during the takeoff but the acft hit a hole in the ice and flipped over.
Findings
The incident occurred during a sightseeing operation where mechanical performance issues necessitated an emergency landing on a glacier surface. The pilot attempted to resume flight by taking off without passengers or excess fuel to reduce weight, citing slushy ice conditions as a factor. Despite the engine developing full power, the aircraft struck a hole in the ice and flipped over.
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to take off from a glacier surface with slushy ice conditions, which resulted in the aircraft striking a hole in the ice and flipping over.
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