Accident Overview
On September 2, 2012, at approximately 1030 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150 airplane, registration N82016, sustained substantial damage following an accident about 63 miles northeast of Coldfoot, Alaska. The aircraft was operating as a personal cross-country flight under visual flight rules (VFR) in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight had departed Deadhorse, Alaska, around 1130, destined for Homer, Alaska.
Pilot Report
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge on September 12, the pilot stated that he had received a weather briefing prior to departure from Deadhorse. He described the weather as basic VFR and noted that he planned to fly a new route southbound through Atigun Pass. Upon reaching the pass, the pilot observed that the terrain elevation was rising faster than the airplane could climb, and the weather conditions within the pass were worse than anticipated. He decided to turn the airplane around within the pass to exit the way he had entered. During the turn, it became apparent that the maneuver would not be successful. The airplane stalled and subsequently impacted the terrain.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. He further stated that he should have made the decision to turn back earlier.
Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to its wings and fuselage.