Aircraft Nosed Over During Landing at Remote Airstrip

Casualties unknown • Skwentna, AK, US

A private pilot experienced a nose-over accident while landing an aircraft at an overgrown remote airstrip during a personal property inspection.

What happened

A private certificated pilot was operating an aircraft to a remote airstrip for the purpose of inspecting personal property located at the site. The airstrip in question measured approximately 1,150 feet in length and 150 feet in width. Although the strip had been utilized several years prior, it had become partially overgrown with bushes over time.

Prior to the landing attempt, the pilot performed several passes over the runway surface to evaluate its suitability and check for potential hazards. The pilot elected to land toward the west side of the strip. During the landing sequence, the aircraft touched down with the tail wheel first. As the aircraft proceeded along the strip, the main landing gear tires struck bushes that were taller than the pilot had anticipated. This contact caused the airplane to nose over.

The impact resulted in damage to the vertical stabilizer, the rudder, and the wing ribs on both wings. The pilot was not injured during the event.

Probable cause

The aircraft nosed over after the main landing gear encountered bushes on the overgrown airstrip that were taller than anticipated by the pilot.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1999-08-11 Piper PA-18 accident near Skwentna, AK?

A private pilot experienced a nose-over accident while landing an aircraft at an overgrown remote airstrip during a personal property inspection.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1999-08-11 involved a Piper PA-18, registration N221BC, at Skwentna, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft nosed over after the main landing gear encountered bushes on the overgrown airstrip that were taller than anticipated by the pilot.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X19404. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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