Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ANC92LA049

SHAGELUK, AK, USA

Aircraft #1

N83367

PIPER PA-18

Analysis

AS THE SKI EQUIPPED AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE SNOW COVERED FROZEN RIVER, THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR BROKE AT THE AXLE, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT SKI RETAINING NUT AND ITS COTTER PIN WERE MISSING. THIS ALLOWED THE SKI TO PARTIALLY SLIDE OFF THE AXLE IN FLIGHT. THE PILOT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN SABOTAGED OR VANDALIZED.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR SKI BEING PARTIALLY DISCONNECTED AT THE TIME OF THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT, AND THE SNOW COVERED LANDING AREA.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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