19990831025389A

(.19) On August 31, 1999, about 1450 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N3824M, sustained substantial damage while landing at a remote area, about 53 miles west of skwentna, Alaska, at latitude 62 degrees, 03.978 minutes north, and longitude 153 degrees, 03.011 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area positioning flight under title 14 CFR part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot, a hunting guide doing business as hight coutry Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, an assistant guide with the company, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The accident was reported by another airplane pilot flying over the area. On September 4, 1999, during a telphone conversation with a national transportation safety board (NTSB) investigator, the pilot reported he was planning to land on a ridge with his assistant guide to establish a camp for his hunting clients. The landing area is oriented north/sorth at 3,500 feet MSL in the ptarmigan pass area of the Alaska mountain ra gge. The pilot had landed on the ridge numerous times in the past. The pilot said he made several low passes over the area to assess the landing area and wind conditions. During the low passes over the ridge, he noted a quartering head wind of 6 miles per hour with no wind gusts. He said he landed on the ridge, but just after touchdown, encountered a wind gust that pushed the airplane to the left. He added engine power to abort the landing. The tailwheel came off the ground, and he turned the airplane downhill to gain airspeed. The right wing struck the ground on the downhill side of the ridge. The airplane received damage to the landing gear, and the right wing spar. (-23) a tundra tire equipped PA12 sustained substantial damage while landing at a remote site. The aircraft was operated by a hunter guide setting up a base camp. He stated he made several low passes over the area to assess the landing area and wind conditions. Just after touchdown a wind gust was encountered that pushed the aircraft to the left. Power was added to abort the landing and the aircraft turned downhill to gain airspeed. The right win g struck the ground damaging the spar and collapsing the gear. (.4) the commercial certificated pilot/hunting guide was landing at a remote airstrip located on a mountain ridge with an assistant guide. The purpose of the flight was to establish a camp for his hunting clients. The landing strip is oriented north/south at 3,500 feet MSL, and is 850 feet long, and 30 feet wide. The pilot had landed on the ridge numerous times in the past. The pilot said he made several low passes over the area to assess the landing area and wind conditions. During the low passes over the ridge, he noted a quartering head wind from the right, of 10 miles per hour. He said he landed on the ridge, but just after touchdown, encountered a wind gust that pushed the airplane to the left. He added engine power to abort the landing. The tailwheel came off the ground, and he turned the airplane downhill to the left to gain airspeed. The right wing, and the main tires struck the ground on the downhill side of the ridge. The airplane received damage to the landing gear, and the right wing spar.