Piper PA-18 N6996D

Summary

On 10 September 1995 at about 01:30 local time, a Piper PA-18 registered N6996D, operated by James L. Baum, was involved in an accident near Palmer, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 September 1995 at 01:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Palmer, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

61.6203, -148.9805

Aircraft

Piper PA-18

Registration

N6996D

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

James L. Baum

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Anghorage → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC95LA163

1 person had minor injuries.

Failure of the pilot to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from terrain, during a low pass over a prospective (off-airport) landing area. Factors relating to the accident were: rain and rising/uneven terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The certificated private pilot and a passenger were assessing a landing strip in remote and mountainous terrain. The landing area was located at 5,000 feet mean sea level, and numerous rain showers were present in the area. The pilot indicated that on the second low pass over the landing area, he was headed toward upsloping terrain, and his vision was obscured by rain. He noticed that the terrain was rising sharply and began a turn away from the slope. During the turn, the landing gear struck the tundra covered terrain. The airplane then descended into the terrain, and the airplane received damage to the landing gear, left wing, and propeller.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.