On June 28, 1995, a Piper PA-18-150 (registration N5238N) was involved in an aviation accident near Tyonek, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadvertent descent below a safe altitude during a low pass, which resulted in the main landing gear contacting tall vegetation and the subsequent nose-over of the aircraft. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot attempting to assess a potential landing site inadvertently descended too low during a low pass, causing the main gear to strike vegetation and resulting in a nose-over.
What happened
The pilot was conducting an operational assessment of a location off the airport to determine its suitability for future landings. To evaluate the terrain, the pilot executed a low pass over the intended site. While flying directly over the potential landing area, the pilot inadvertently allowed the aircraft to descend below a safe altitude. The main landing gear struck tall vegetation on the ground. The force of the impact pulled the airplane downward into the foliage, causing the nose to pitch forward and the aircraft to nosed over.
Findings
The primary factor in this incident was the pilot's loss of altitude control during the low pass maneuver. The contact with the vegetation was a direct result of descending too low while assessing the site.
Probable cause
The pilot's inadvertent descent below a safe altitude during a low pass, which resulted in the main landing gear contacting tall vegetation and the subsequent nose-over of the aircraft.
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