ANC94LA090

The tundra tire equipped airplane was flying at low altitude in mountainous terrain for the purpose of game spotting. The flight encountered gusty headwind conditions. While turning to reverse direction, away from the rising terrain, the plane stalled and collided with the terrain.

On July 17, 1994 at 1030 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA18-150 airplane, N7883D, registered to and operated by the pilot-in-command, collided with mountainous terrain while maneuvering at low altitude near Mt. Prindle in the White Mountains, approximately 60 miles northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. The coordinates of the accident site are 65-25'45"N X 146-39'45"W and the elevation is approximately 3,000 feet msl. The private certificated pilot was not injured and his sole passenger received minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pleasure flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, last departed the Chena Marina Airport at 0930 for the purpose of spotting sheep in the area in which the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area and there was no VFR flight plan in effect.

The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge that the flight encountered strong gusty headwinds while flying toward rising terrain at an altitude of approximately 400 feet above the ground. Upon realizing that the plane could not out climb the terrain, he fully extended the plane's wing flaps and initiated a left turn. While in the turn, the airspeed fell off and the left wing lost lift. The plane made a half spiral to the left before colliding with the ground.