On October 10, 1998, a Piper PA-12 (registration N98900) was involved in an aviation accident near Anchorage, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's misjudgment of a proper touchdown point. Factors associated with the accident were darkness, and the pilot's inadequate preflight planning. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A private pilot returning from winterizing a remote cabin landed on a gravel aircraft parking area at Lake Hood, striking a parked Piper PA-18 and floats. The aircraft sustained substantial wing and fuselage damage.
Accident Details
The private pilot reported that he was returning to Lake Hood after winterizing his remote cabin. He stated that his departure from Snider Lake was later than anticipated, requiring a night landing at Lake Hood. The pilot made a straight-in approach to the south water lane. Just prior to touchdown, he realized he was about 500 feet to the right of the intended touchdown area, over a gravel aircraft parking area. The pilot applied full power in an attempt to go-around, but the airplane continued to settle onto the parking area.
Sequence of Events
During the landing attempt, the airplane's right wing struck a parked Piper PA-18 and a set of stored floats. The airplane then pivoted to the right, and the left wing struck the ground. The wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage.
Damage
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the airplane's wings and fuselage.