1995-08-17: Piper PA-18A — James L. Baum — Skwentna, AK

Casualties unknown • Skwentna, AK, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF A SHORT/UNEVEN LANDING AREA THAT REQUIRED EXCESSIVE BRAKING ACTION WHILE LANDING WITH A TAILWIND.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON A RIVER GRAVEL BAR NEAR A REMOTE LODGE. THE LANDING AREA WAS ORIENTED ON A 090 DEGREE HEADING. IT WAS ABOUT 375 FEET LONG AT 2,300 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL. A SLIGHT TAILWIND WAS PRESENT FROM THE WEST OF ABOUT 4 KNOTS. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE PILOT APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO NOSE DOWN. HE RELEASED THE BRAKES, BUT WAS APPROACHING THE END OF THE LANDING AREA. THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A DIP IN THE GRAVEL SURFACE WHEN THE PILOT APPLIED BRAKING ACTION ONCE AGAIN. THE AIRPLANE THEN NOSED OVER AND RECEIVED DAMAGE TO THE WING RIBS.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1995-08-17 Piper PA-18A accident near Skwentna, AK?

THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON A RIVER GRAVEL BAR NEAR A REMOTE LODGE. THE LANDING AREA WAS ORIENTED ON A 090 DEGREE HEADING. IT WAS ABOUT 375 FEET LONG AT 2,300 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL. A SLIGHT TAILWIND WAS PRESENT FROM THE WEST OF ABOUT 4 KNOTS. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE PILOT APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO NOSE…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1995-08-17 involved a Piper PA-18A, registration N9067D, operated by James L. Baum, at Skwentna, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF A SHORT/UNEVEN LANDING AREA THAT REQUIRED EXCESSIVE BRAKING ACTION WHILE LANDING WITH A TAILWIND.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X04139. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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