On September 26, 1997, a Piper PA-12 (registration N7667H) was involved in an aviation accident near Gustavus, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point. Factors associated with the accident are the pilot's improper glidepath, and the rough and uneven terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported landing short of a remote hunting site after a shallow approach, resulting in a collision with rough terrain. The pilot noted that a steeper approach would have kept the landing spot in sight.
Incident Overview
A pilot flying to a remote location for hunting reported that during the landing attempt, the aircraft touched down short of the intended landing area. The pilot had chosen to fly a shallow approach to touch down at the edge of the site. However, the airplane contacted rough and uneven terrain before reaching the designated touchdown point.
Pilot's Account
According to the pilot's statement, he was trying to land on a short, remote site to go hunting. He elected to use a shallow approach with the aim of landing at the very edge of the site. The maneuver resulted in the aircraft touching down short of the intended area, leading to a collision with the rugged terrain.
Post-Incident Observations
The pilot acknowledged that he should have flown a steeper approach. He explained that a steeper approach would have allowed him to keep the intended landing spot in sight throughout the descent, potentially avoiding the short landing.