NINILCHIK, AK, USA
N1737D
CESSNA 170B
THE STUDENT PILOT MADE A LOW LEVEL PASS TO DROP NEWSPAPERS TO A HUNTING CAMP. WITNESSES SAW A LEFT BANKING TURN AFTER THE PASS AND HEARD AIRCRAFT IMPACT THE TUNDRA, OUT OF SIGHT FROM THE CAMP. PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEO OF THE WRECKAGE SHOW A STEEP NOSE DOWN CRUSH PATTERN, LEFT WING DAMAGE. GROUND SCARS SUPPORT A STEEP NOSE DOWN IMPACT AT LOW SPEED. THE AIRPLANE WRECKAGE RESTS NORMALLY ON UNDAMAGED CONVENTIONAL LANDING GEAR. FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE TANKS. WITNESSES RECALLED THE ENGINE 'SOUNDED NORMAL, AT LOW POWER' AT THE TIME OF THE AIR DROP.
THE STUDENT PILOT ENTERED A LOW ALTITUDE STALL/MUSH DURING AN AIRDROP MANEUVER. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE LOW PASS MANEUVER, AND THE IMPROPER ALTITUDE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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