On August 22, 2007, a Piper PA-12 (registration N2328M) was involved in an aviation accident near Kenai, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from a parked airplane during the landing flare. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A private pilot struck a parked airplane's propeller with the left wing during landing flare at a remote airstrip, causing structural damage.
Accident Overview
A private certificated pilot was landing at a remote airstrip measuring about 1,100 feet in length and 20 feet in width. During the landing flare, the left wing of the accident airplane struck the propeller of an unoccupied airplane that was parked close to the airstrip threshold. The accident airplane subsequently collided with the ground.
Pilot Account
In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report submitted by the pilot, the pilot reported that his attention was diverted from the parked airplane during the landing. When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot indicated that he could have landed beyond the other airplane.
Damage
The accident airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing spar, left aileron, and right elevator.