Accident Details
On April 2, 2010, at about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a ski-equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, registration N82732, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees during taxi from landing on a frozen lake. The accident occurred approximately 30 miles east-southeast of Stony River, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the State of Alaska, Department of Public Safety, as a visual flight rules (VFR) public use wildlife patrol under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The solo private pilot was not injured. The flight had departed McCarthy, Alaska, at about 1100.
Pilot Account
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on April 5, a representative of the State of Alaska reported that the pilot had landed on a frozen lake to make contact with the owner of a wilderness lodge. While taxiing from landing, the airplane slid off the taxi area and into trees. The pilot reported substantial damage to both wings.
In a written report dated April 6, the pilot provided additional details. After attempting to determine wind conditions on the ground, he elected to land upslope to the east. He noted that his landing slide was longer than anticipated and considered initiating a go-around, but did not. After almost coming to a stop, he steered the airplane to the right edge of the landing area and attempted to use power to blow the tail of the airplane around, intending to taxi to a safe area to park. When he added power to turn to the right, the skies failed to catch. The left wing struck a tree, causing the airplane to pivot to the left, and the right wing then struck another tree.
Upon exiting the airplane, the pilot realized he had landed downwind. He reported that the wind appeared to be about 6 knots from the west. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident.