On March 28, 1989, a Piper PA-11 (registration N4620M) was involved in an aviation accident near Beluga Mountain, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a snow berm during takeoff, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A ski-equipped Piper PA-11 suffered substantial airframe damage when its right main landing gear collapsed after hitting a snow berm during an off-airport takeoff attempt.
What happened
The pilot and a passenger had previously landed at a remote, unprepared mountain site to photograph wildlife. During the subsequent takeoff attempt from this off-airport location, the ski-equipped Piper PA-11 struck a snow berm with its right main landing gear ski. The impact caused the right main landing gear to collapse, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe.
The investigation
Examination of the aircraft confirmed that the right main landing gear had collapsed after contacting the snow berm during the takeoff roll. This mechanical failure led directly to substantial damage to the airframe structure.
Findings
Contributing factors included the terrain conditions at the remote landing site and the presence of a snow berm obstructing the takeoff path. The collision with this obstacle compromised the structural integrity of the right main landing gear.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a snow berm during takeoff, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe.
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