On September 12, 1995, a Piper PA-18-150 (registration N3991Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Big Delta, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable step taxi/takeoff area. The submerged object was a related factor. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot hunting in the area was returning to base camp when his aircraft's left float struck a submerged object while step taxiing near the shore of a small lake.
What happened
The pilot reported that he was engaged in hunting activities within the local area and was in the process of returning to his established base camp. The specific incident occurred at a small lake where the pilot attempted to maximize the available takeoff distance for his subsequent departure. To achieve this, he employed a step taxiing technique, maneuvering the aircraft as close to the shoreline as possible.
During this low-speed maneuver, the pilot felt the left float make contact with an unidentified submerged object. The impact caused the front section of the left float to lift upward. This sudden movement resulted in the float striking the left wing struts. Consequently, the left wing was forced down into the water, causing damage to the aircraft structure.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…