Piper PA-18 N339T

Summary

On 14 April 2003 at about 02:30 local time, a Piper PA-18 registered N339T was involved in an accident near Cantwell, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 April 2003 at 02:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Cantwell, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Summit (UMM)

Coordinates

63.3167, -149.1167

Aircraft

Piper PA-18

Registration

N339T

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fairbanks → Anchorage

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC03LA041

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area in deep snow, which resulted in the nose over of the airplane on touchdown. A factor associated with the accident was a snow-covered airstrip.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The solo private pilot was flying through an area of mountainous terrain when he encountered low ceilings, reduced visibility, and light freezing rain. He said that he noticed a light accumulation of rime ice on the leading edge of the airplane's wing, so he elected to land at a remote, unmaintained airstrip, and wait for better weather. The pilot reported that while landing, the main wheels contacted deep snow on the runway, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, both wing lift struts, and rudder assembly. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.