On 16 May 2015, a PIPER PA 22-150 160 operated by Roger Anderson was involved in an aviation accident near Talkeetna, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The private pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a spruce tree during final approach, which resulted in a loss of control and hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to adequately monitor the landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During landing practice, a private pilot misjudged descent rate, striking a spruce tree with the right elevator. The airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and impacted water, sustaining substantial damage. The flight instructor noted complacency as a contributing factor.
Accident Summary
A flight instructor and a private pilot were conducting practice takeoffs and landings in a float-equipped airplane. On the seventh approach to landing, the private pilot misjudged the airplane's rate of descent, causing the right elevator to strike the top of a spruce tree. This resulted in a full up deflection of the elevator. The airplane subsequently entered an uncontrolled descent and impacted the water in a flat stalled condition. The fuselage and elevator sustained substantial damage.
Flight Instructor Account
The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He stated that the private pilot's misjudgment of the descent rate led to the tree strike and subsequent loss of control.
Recommendations
In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the flight instructor noted that he had developed a sense of complacency while flying with the pilot. He suggested that the accident may have been avoided if he had been more vigilant or conducted a more thorough preflight briefing.
Contributing factors
Causes
Descent/approach/glide path — Not attained/maintainedPilot