No fatalities

7 Sep 2013: CESSNA 185 F — COPPER VALLEY AIR SERVICE LLC — Mentasta Lake, AK

Mentasta Lake, AK, United States
SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A tailwheel and tundra tire-equipped airplane experienced a hard landing and bounce at an off-airport site, resulting in substantial fuselage damage. The pilot reported no mechanical issues.

Incident Overview

A pilot was landing a tailwheel and tundra tire-equipped airplane at an off-airport site. Just before touchdown, the pilot felt the airplane sink and added power to correct the condition. Despite the corrective action, the airplane struck the ground hard and bounced. The pilot recovered from the bounce and brought the airplane to a full stop.

Damage Assessment

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Pilot Actions

The pilot's immediate response to the sinking sensation was to add power, but the aircraft still impacted the ground firmly before bouncing. After the bounce, the pilot was able to regain control and complete the landing roll to a stop.

Contributing factors

Pilot