Accident Overview
On September 26, 2011, about 1415 Alaska Daylight time, a Cub Crafters CC-18-180 airplane, registration N907CF, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during landing at an off airport site approximately 7 miles east of Palmer, Alaska. The aircraft was operated by the Alaska Department of Public Safety, Anchorage, Alaska, as a visual flight rules (VFR) public aircraft training flight.
Pilots and Injuries
The flight crew consisted of a certificated flight instructor and a commercial pilot who was on the controls. Neither pilot was injured in the accident.
Weather and Flight Procedures
Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Company flight following procedures were in effect.
Pilot Account
In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board dated September 28, the pilot on controls reported that they had made numerous landings at several locations earlier that day. During the accident landing, the pilot applied what he felt was appropriate braking pressure, but the airplane abruptly nosed over. The pilot stated that the airplane received substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and wings.
Post-Accident Examination
After the accident, mechanics from the operator traveled to the remote location to recover the aircraft. Based on statements made by the pilot, the mechanics examined the airplane's landing gear and brakes at the accident site. According to the director of maintenance for the operator, the mechanics found that the main wheels rotated freely and that after righting the airplane, the brakes operated normally.
NTSB Involvement
The airplane was not examined by the NTSB investigator-in-charge.