NTSB Factual Report

On September 3, 2003, about 1400 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N4500W, sustained substantial damage when it collided with tundra-covered terrain following a loss of control during an aborted landing, about 45 miles northwest of Koliganek, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country 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 at the Naknek Airport, Naknek, Alaska, about 1000. 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 3, the pilot reported that he was in cruise flight and noticed the airplane's carbon monoxide detector was black. He said he decided to land in an area that was about 1000 feet long, where he had landed in the past. He made one landing attempt, but decided to perform a go-around. On the second landing attempt, the pilot said he touched down, but he was going too fast. He aborted the landing and added full power. The airplane lifted-off, and climbed to between 15 to 20 feet above the ground. The pilot indicated that he began a slight right turn, at which time, the airplane settled to the ground. The landing gear collapsed, and the airplane received damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot said the wind was light and variable.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an aborted landing, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with terrain.