NTSB Factual Report

On September 16, 2004, about 1800 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N82491, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees during the landing approach to a private airstrip, about 4 miles east of Slana, Alaska. The airplane, registered to B and B Aircraft Ventures LLC, Ogden, Utah, was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from the Little Tok River, Tok, Alaska, about 1630. No flight plan was filed, nor was one required.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 17, the pilot reported that he was returning to the Slana Homestead Strip from a hunting trip. The pilot indicated that the dirt surface airstrip is about 2,000 feet long and 60 wide, and is oriented northeast/southwest. He said he was landing toward the northeast, and the wind was from the northwest about 30 knots, with gusts to 45 knots. He indicated that due to the crosswind, the left wing of the airplane was lifted, and the right wing of the airplane stalled. The airplane descended into trees short of the airstrip. The pilot said the airplane received extensive damage to the wings, fuselage, and engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to compensate for wind conditions during landing, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a loss of control, and subsequent collision with trees during an uncontrolled descent. Factors contributing to the accident were gusty wind conditions and an inadvertent stall.