NTSB Factual Report

On April 15, 2017, about 1615 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 182E airplane, N9362X, sustained substantial damage following impact with power lines during a precautionary landing on the George Parks Highway about 20 miles north of Willow, Alaska. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed Big Lake Airport, Big Lake, Alaska, at about 1600 and was destined for Talkeetna Airport, Talkeetna, Alaska.

During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on April 17, 2017, the pilot stated that while flying north at 600 feet about four miles from the highway, he observed unusual engine performance. He turned on the carburetor heat and climbed to 1,200 feet. He said that the engine started running "very rough" and he turned toward the highway to find a safe landing area. He turned to the south, reduced the throttle and lowered the flaps to full down to affect a rapid descent to land on a highway section that had no traffic. During the approach to landing at about 60 feet, the airplane struck power lines that were strung across the highway. The pilot stated that he observed the power lines just prior to impact, and he attempted to add power and climb, but was too late. The airplane pitched down and impacted the asphalt ground with the nose, then slid into trees on the side of the highway. The airplane came to rest in a vertical nose-down attitude. The pilot egressed and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector (ASI) who responded to the accident site, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage. An onsite examination by the FAA ASI revealed that the nose gear was sheared off and both main landing gear legs had power lines wrapped around them. The wreckage was recovered and transported to a secure facility for future examination.

The closest weather reporting facility is Talkeetna Airport (PATK), about 21 miles north of the accident site. At 1553, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) from PATK was reporting in part: wind calm; sky condition, scattered 20,000 feet; visibility, 10 statute miles; temperature 52 degrees F; dewpoint 18 degrees F; altimeter, 30.00 inHg.