On September 8, 1994, a Piper PA-12 (registration N3363M) operated by Alaska Safari, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Nondalton, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate management of airspeed and descent rate during the final approach, resulting in a hard landing that damaged the right main landing gear and right wing, compounded by his limited experience (6.1 hours) in the specific aircraft make and… This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot with limited experience in the aircraft type damaged the right main landing gear and wing while attempting to land on a short gravel airstrip during a local flight.
What happened
The accident occurred at the conclusion of a local flight intended for caribou hunting. The pilot was operating under Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91 in conjunction with an aero hunting lodge operation. The destination was a gravel airstrip measuring only 700 feet in length.
According to operator reports, the pilot attempted to land on this short strip by dropping the airplane from an altitude of approximately 50 feet. This aggressive approach resulted in significant structural damage. The right main landing gear and the right wing were damaged upon impact with the ground.
The investigation
Post-acc examination confirmed the extent of the physical damage described by the operator. The primary mechanical failures were localized to the right side of the airframe, specifically the landing gear assembly and the wing structure.
Findings
A critical factor in this accident was the pilot's lack of experience with the specific aircraft make and model. Records indicated that the pilot had accrued only 6.1 flight hours in this type of airplane at the time of the incident. This limited experience likely contributed to the inability to execute a safe landing on the challenging 700-foot gravel strip.
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate management of airspeed and descent rate during the final approach, resulting in a hard landing that damaged the right main landing gear and right wing, compounded by his limited experience (6.1 hours) in the specific aircraft make and model.