19990906027899A

(.19) On September 6, 1999, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a champion 7GCBC airplane, N9018L, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on a gravel bar about 20 miles south of Sleetmute, Alaska, at 61 degrees 30 minutes north latitude, 157 degrees 00 minutes west longitude. The solo private pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR part 91 as a personal flight to the pilot's hunting camp on the south fork of the kuskokwim river. The visual flight rules (VFR) flight departed birchwood airport, chugiak, Alaska, about 1200. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (iic) on September 21, the pilot stated that he was landing to the south, landed long, and attempted to abort the landing. The pilot indicated that the airplane became airborne, and the wind died. The airplane's landing gear contacted brush, and the airplane landed hard. Both main landing gear assemblies collapsed, and both wing struts were bent. The pilot described the winds from the southeast at 15 to 20 knots. (-23) on September 6, 1999, at 1400 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped citabria airplane, model 7GCBC, civil registration N9018L, crashed during landing on a gravel bar on the south fork of the kuskokwim river. The airplane was operated by gregory g. hartman, holder of private pilot certificate number 393542249 with airplane single engine land and sea ratings. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot in command received serious injuries. According to the pilot, he had landed on this gravel bar during the previous year, however, the high water this year washed away some of the gravel bar. He landed and surveyed the entire landing area. During this survey he noted a gray clump of clay which he believed hid a stump. During a subsequent operation and landing, the wind caused the airplane to drift to the left. Upon touchdown, the pilot attempted to steer the airplane around the clump. The left landing gear struck the clump and collapsed. During the discussion with the pilot he stated, that in retrospect, he should have executed a go around when he noticed the airplane drift to the left. His original landing and touchdown area, that he originally surveyed, was to the right of the gray clump. He stated the wind was a variable crosswind with a speed of 10 knots with occasional gusts to 15 knots. (.4) the pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge (iic) that he landed long on an off airport gravel bar, and attempted to abort the landing. He said the airplane became airborne, and the wind died. The airplane's landing gear contacted brush, and the airplane landed hard. He said the winds were 15 to 20 knots. The pilot of a second airplane said the landing area had washed out, and was unsuitable for landing.