NTSB Factual Report

On July 4, 2005, about 0845 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-20 airplane, N7440K, sustained structural damage during an aborted landing at an off airport site, located about 47 miles northeast of Nome, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Nome City Airfield, about 0800, and no flight plan was filed.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on July 5, the pilot reported that he was landing to the northwest, on a ridgeline, which required a correction for a right crosswind from the north. The pilot stated that during the landing roll a gust of wind lifted the right wing, and he applied full right aileron and full engine power in an attempt to abort the landing. During the aborted landing, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the landing roll, which resulted in the collapse of the main landing gear, and a nose over. A factor associated with the accident was a crosswind.