# NTSB ANC97LA039: Piper PA-18, N4055Z, Chugiak, AK, March 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 27, 1997, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Chugiak, AK - Coordinates: 61.410133, -149.169418 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4101&lon=-149.1694&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2974 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2974/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA039 ## Probable cause the pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Main gear collapsed, landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot reported he was landing his ski equipped airplane on a partially snow covered area short of a paved runway, because the runway was devoid of snow. During the landing run, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing lift strut was damaged. A witness to the accident said the airplane touched down well short of the runway in patchy snow. ## Factual narrative On March 27, 1997, about 1115 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N4055Z, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Birchwood Airport, Chugiak, Alaska. The solo private pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated in south Anchorage, Alaska, at the Flying Crown airport about 1045, and the destination was the Birchwood Airport. The pilot reported he was landing on a snow covered area before the approach end of runway 19. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear leg collapsed, causing substantial damage to the right wing's lift strut. The pilot said he landed on the snow covered area because the airplane was still equipped with skis, and the runway was free of any snow. A witness who observed the landing at the uncontrolled airport, noted the area the pilot landed on was well short of the runway, and consisted of patchy, soft snow. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4055Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4055Z), registered now, S/N 18-8060 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-8060 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lawrence M. Martin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: AK12, ANCHORAGE, AK - Destination: BCV - Airport: BCV, Birchwood ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 890 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 100 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 34 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19970327003819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970327003819A), Mar 27, 1997: Piper PA18150, Birchwood, AK, Substantial damage. Landed ski equipped PA18 on snow short of dry runway. Right gear collapsed damaged right wing. ## Other investigations on N4055Z (2) 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 DEN06LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN06LA011), Oct 26, 2005: Piper PA-18-150 (N4055Z), Cortez, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, resulting in a ground loop. Contributing factors were the excessive descent rate, the obstacle (horse), the high density altitude,… - [NTSB MKC65A0079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC65A0079), Jun 26, 1965: Piper PA-18 (N4055Z), Modoc, KS, destroyed, 1 fatal 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.