# Accident 20231118017959A: Charles J Kase KASE KUB, Big Lake, AK, November 18, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 18, 2023, 12:00 local time
- Place: Big Lake, AK
- Airport: Big Lake
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.5347° N, 149.8125° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5347&lon=-149.8125&mi=10
- Aircraft: N853AK, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N853AK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Charles J Kase KASE KUB (registry code 05636SB, https://openairdocs.org/model/charles-j-kase-kase-kub) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-320 series (registry code 42389, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHARLES J KASE KASE KUB
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 417 total, 49 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC24LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA006) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231118017959A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON NOVEMBER 18, 2023, THE PILOT OF AN EXPERIMENTAL PA-18 TYPE HOME-BUILT KASE KUB TOOK OFF FROM WOLF LAKE STRIP (4AK6) AFTER A CONDITION INSPECTION. THE AIRCRAFT HEADED TO WASILLA AIRPORT (PAWS), WHERE TWO STOP-AND-GO LANDINGS WERE PERFORMED. THE PILOT THEN FLEW TO BIG LAKE AIRPORT (PAGQ) AND ATTEMPTED A LANDING WITHOUT CHECKING THE AUTOMATED WEATHER REPORTING. THE PILOT WAS UNCERTAIN ABOUT THE SNOW'S DEPTH, ESTIMATING IT TO BE SHALLOW DUE TO THE LIGHT COVERING OBSERVED AND REPORTED AT OTHER NEARBY AIRPORTS, WHICH WERE ALSO HARD-PACKED. UPON TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT'S WHEELS SANK INTO THE DEEP SNOW-COVERED RUNWAY, CAUSING IT TO FLIP NOSE OVER. THE RUDDER, VERTICAL STABILIZER, EMPENNAGE, AND PROPELLER WERE ALL DAMAGED. THE PILOT WAS COUNSELED ON PROPER AIRPORT PLANNING ALONG WITH CHECKING WEATHER AND RUNWAY CONDITIONS BEFORE ATTEMPTING LANDINGS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC24LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA006), Nov 18, 2023: Charles J Kase Kase KUB (N853AK), Big Lake, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s selection of an unsuitable landing site that was covered in deep snow.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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