Accident Details
On September 3, 2009, at about 1208 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Aviat Husky A-1B airplane, registration N37HY, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during landing at an off-airport site approximately 19 miles east of Gulkana, Alaska. The aircraft was operated by the U.S. Park Service, Department of the Interior, as a visual flight rules (VFR) public use flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect.
Pilot Report
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge on the day of the accident, a spokesperson for the Park Service stated that the pilot was conducting a wildlife enforcement surveillance flight and reported that the airplane nosed over during landing at the off-airport site. No known mechanical anomalies with the airplane were identified prior to the accident.
Damage Assessment
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer.
Investigative Findings
In a written statement to the NTSB dated September 5, an investigator for the Department of the Interior reported that the pilot indicated he had applied the brakes too hard during landing, causing the airplane to nose over.