On July 2, 2002, a Piper PA-18 (registration N1129A) was involved in an aviation accident near Talkeetna, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, which resulted in a turbulence encounter and subsequent collision with a river embankment during maneuvering flight. A contributing factor was the presence of terrain induced turbulence. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A private pilot searching for a lost hiker in a float-equipped airplane encountered canyon turbulence and a strong gust, causing the aircraft to yaw and descend. The pilot leveled off, but floats struck alder bushes, leading to a cartwheel and substantial damage.
Accident Narrative
A private certificated pilot was conducting a search for a lost hiker along a river drainage in a float-equipped airplane. According to the pilot, he was maneuvering between 500 and 1,000 feet above the ground and had encountered turbulence produced in the canyons along the river. Just before the accident, the pilot stated that a strong gust of wind yawed the airplane sideways and lifted the left wing. The airplane began to descend toward the ground. The pilot managed to level the airplane just before the float assembly collided with alder bushes along the bank of the river. The airplane then performed a cartwheel and came to rest facing opposite to its initial direction of travel.
Aircraft Damage
The accident resulted in damage to the float assembly, fuselage, and wings.
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