ANC98LA016

The pilot reported that he had landed on a narrow, uneven, abandoned logging road in gusty crosswind conditions. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered a bump in the road, and became airborne. A gust of wind pushed the airplane into adjacent trees. The pilot said the accident was caused by his inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions.

On January 22, 1998, about 1015 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 150 airplane, N5822E, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees while landing on an abandoned logging road on Kosciusko Island, located about 14 miles southeast of Pt. Baker, Alaska. The private pilot and the one passenger aboard were not injured. The Title 14, CFR Part 91 flight departed Sitka, Alaska, about 0900. The purpose of the flight was to visit friends on Kosciusko Island.

During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on January 27, the pilot related he was attempting to land on a gravel logging road which is used as an airstrip by the occupants of the island. He said the road is closely bordered by trees and brush. He reported he made three low passes over the runway, and on the fourth pass to the east, he attempted to land on the east end of the road. Prior to touchdown, he said the wind, estimated to be from the southeast at 15 miles per hour, gusting to 25, caused him to add power and try to land further down the road. The airplane touched down on the second half of the road. During the landing roll, he said the airplane encountered a bump on the road, and was bounced into the air. A gust of wind subsequently pushed the airplane sideways, and the left wing struck a small tree. The airplane was pulled to the left, and the right wing struck the ground.

The pilot said there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane, and that the accident was caused by his "inadequate crosswind correction."