Casualties unknown

Pilot's Emergency Repositioning Ends in Tree and Berm Strike (N7002Z)

Chenega Bay, AK, US

On December 1, 2002, a Piper PA-18-150 (registration N7002Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Chenega Bay, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance which resulted in the airplane colliding with a tree and a berm. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot attempting to move a parked airplane from a beach to a logging road before a storm struck a tree and a berm during landing roll, damaging both wings, left landing gear, and propeller.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported that the airplane was initially parked on a remote beach on an island. Noticing an approaching storm, the pilot decided to reposition the aircraft to a nearby logging road to avoid potential damage from the weather.

Sequence of Events

During the landing roll on the logging road, the right wing of the airplane struck a tree. The impact caused the airplane to turn sharply to the right. As the aircraft continued its turn, the left main landing gear struck a berm. The collision with the berm led to the collapse of the left main landing gear, which allowed the left wing to impact the ground.

Damage Assessment

The airplane sustained structural damage to both wings. Additionally, the left landing gear assembly and the propeller were damaged. The extent of damage to other components was not reported.

Pilot Actions

The pilot's decision to reposition the airplane was prompted by the approaching storm. The maneuver was intended to secure the aircraft away from the beach environment. However, the landing area on the logging road presented obstacles that were not anticipated.

Environmental Factors

The accident site was a remote beach on an island, with the repositioning target being a logging road. The presence of trees and a berm along the landing path contributed to the collision events.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20021212X05599. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.