Incident Details
The pilot stated that he saw people in a boat in Knik Arm and thought they needed help. He believed he saw a marked runway, so he landed next to the flags. The landing area was adjacent to a survey line in a restricted area within the Ft. Richardson Artillery Impact Area.
Landing and Damage
During the landing roll, the airplane struck a tidal ravine. The main gear collapsed, and both wings bent downward with the wingtips touching the ground.
Sobriety Testing
The pilot failed a field sobriety test administered by the Ft. Richardson Military Police. They administered an HGN (Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus) test, and during the test the pilot's eyes displayed a lack of smooth pursuit, and maximum deviation occurred at 35%. The pilot would not submit to blood or urine tests.