Probable cause
The pilot's selection of a soft, slushy runway for landing, resulting in a noseover.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he contacted a nearby Federal Aviation Administration Flight Service Station (FSS) to ask if any airplanes had taken off or landed at the snow-covered, unattended gravel airstrip that was his destination. The FSS specialist stated that airplanes had landed there earlier in the day, but he did not have information about the runway condition. The pilot overflew the airstrip about 500 feet above the ground and it appeared to be hard packed, with signs of use. During the landing roll, the airplane's tires encountered soft slush and the airplane nosed over, collapsing the right wing lift-strut. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane and that he was unaware that the airstrip was used primarily by ski-equipped airplanes during the winter.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC11CA023 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 9, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Talkeetna, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Talkeetna Village Strip Airpor (AK44)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-22/20
- N-number
- N8842D
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
Other records under this N-number
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.