Accident Overview
On July 11, 2021, at about 1230 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 170B, registration N2583C, sustained substantial damage in an accident near Rampart, Alaska. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that while en route over mountainous terrain, the engine began to run rough. He looked for an emergency landing area, spotted a flat spot, and maneuvered for landing. During touchdown, the main landing gear contacted the terrain, which the pilot described as very soft, full of moss and bumps. The terrain immediately pulled the airplane in, causing it to nose over and come to rest inverted. The accident resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and empennage.
The pilot later stated that he was testing the surface to determine if it was suitable for landing, and that he had damaged his airplane during the attempt.
Law Enforcement Observations
Responding law enforcement found the airplane inverted on top of a mountain in an area of knee-high clumps of grass. Parallel tire marks led to the airplane for approximately 120 to 150 yards, and there was disturbed vegetation where the tires made hard contact just before the airplane flipped.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the airplane and a test run of the engine on the airframe found no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.