Piper PA-18-150, N8097N: Accident occurred August 16, 2016 in Anchor Point, Alaska

http://registry.faa.gov/N8097N

FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Anchorage FSDO-03

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA436
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, August 16, 2016 in Anchor Point, AK
Probable Cause Approval Date: 09/22/2016
Aircraft: PIPER PA18, registration: N8097N
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot reported that during landing on a coastal beach, the airplane's left wing struck a driftwood tree branch that protruded from a higher berm. The airplane subsequently spun to the left, which resulted in substantial damage to the elevator and both ailerons. The pilot further reported that he had seen the tree but not the branch on his initial flight over the landing area while looking for debris.

The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles while landing on a coastal beach.