1995-06-04: Piper PA-18-160 — Tyonek, AK

Casualties unknown • Tyonek, AK, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING/TAKEOFF. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE THE LONG AND WET GRASS COVERING THE UNIMPROVED TAKEOFF AREA.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE ALASKA STATE TROOPER PILOT LANDED AT AN OFF AIRPORT SITE ADJACENT TO A RIVER TO APPREHEND AN APPARENT VIOLATOR OF THE STATE'S FISH AND GAME LAWS. THE LANDING SITE WAS COVERED WITH LONG GRASS AND POCKETS OF WATER. FOLLOWING THE ENFORCEMENT ACTION, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM THE APPROXIMATELY 1,200' LONG 'STRIP'. THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO BECOME AIRBORNE PRIOR TO REACHING AN AREA OF TALLER GRASS AND DEEPER WATER, AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY GROUND-LOOPED AND NOSED DOWN. NO PRETAKEOFF MECHANICAL ANOMALIES WERE CLAIMED OR DISCOVERED.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1995-06-04 Piper PA-18-160 accident near Tyonek, AK?

THE ALASKA STATE TROOPER PILOT LANDED AT AN OFF AIRPORT SITE ADJACENT TO A RIVER TO APPREHEND AN APPARENT VIOLATOR OF THE STATE'S FISH AND GAME LAWS. THE LANDING SITE WAS COVERED WITH LONG GRASS AND POCKETS OF WATER. FOLLOWING THE ENFORCEMENT ACTION, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM THE APPROXIMATELY 1,200' LONG…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1995-06-04 involved a Piper PA-18-160, registration N2400S, at Tyonek, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING/TAKEOFF. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE THE LONG AND WET GRASS COVERING THE UNIMPROVED TAKEOFF AREA.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X03602. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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