Arctic S-1B2 N61AT

Summary

On 11 August 2001 at about 21:15 local time, a Arctic S-1B2 registered N61AT was involved in an accident near Wrangell, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 August 2001 at 21:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Wrangell, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

56.7694, -132.0533

Aircraft

Arctic S-1B2

Registration

N61AT

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Petersburg → Wrangell

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC01LA112

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions during a downwind landing at a remote lake. Factors in the accident were a downdraft, rough/uneven terrain, and the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision(s).

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private certificated pilot was landing at a remote lake in a float-equipped airplane. The pilot reported he was landing toward the south because it was the only suitable approach path into the lake. The wind was blowing from the north at 15 knots. During the landing approach, the pilot said he encountered a downdraft, and the airplane began to descend below the planned approach path. The pilot turned the airplane into the wind, but he said he was unable to out-climb the downdraft. The airplane then collided with trees and rocks, and received damage to wings, fuselage, and engine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.