Piper J5C N38532 accident near Skwentna, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, and his selection of unsuitable terrain for landing.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot was on a personal cross-country flight with a landing at an off airport site, under Title 14, CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, during landing at the off airport site, the airplane bounced through a rough spot that he had not identified during his overflight prior to landing. He said the airplane bounced in a tail-high attitude, and he did not apply power quickly enough to prevent the airplane from nosing over. The pilot reported that he should have spent more time evaluating the site for seasonal changes prior to landing. He said there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident, and that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and rudder.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC10CA072 for the full record.