Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ANC99LA144

PORT HEIDEN, AK, USA

Aircraft #1

N3017G

Champion 7ECA

Analysis

The private certificated pilot departed a beach next to the airport for a local flight. During the landing roll upon his return to the beach, he began a right turn to proceed uphill from the water. The main landing gear tires struck a clump of grass, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the right wing spar, the windshield, and the vertical stabilizer.

Factual Information

On September 13, 1999, about 1230 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Champion 7ECA airplane, N3017G, sustained substantial damage while landing on an area of beach at Port Heiden, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 13, 1999, the pilot reported he departed a beach next to the Port Heiden airport for a local flight. During the landing roll upon his return to the beach, he began a right turn to proceed uphill from the water. The main landing gear tires struck a clump of grass, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the right wing spar, the windshield, and the vertical stabilizer.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports