WPR11CA034

Factual narrative

The pilot, who was flying the second airplane in a flight of two, was maneuvering in order to turn from base to final for a full-stop landing at a remote back country airstrip. The approach to the airstrip required the pilots to make a precise base to final turn between two steep rock cliffs. During the accident pilot's turn to final, he inadvertently let the turn become too wide, resulting in his nose gear and his right main gear coming in contact with the cliff on the outside of his turn. The contact with the cliff resulted in the separation of the wheel from the nose gear strut, and the separation of the entire right main landing gear assembly. After the pilot in the other airplane confirmed the extent of the damage, the pilot flying the accident airplane flew out of the back country to a town where emergency personnel could be available on the ground. Because he was missing portions of his landing gear system, the pilot decided to land in the grass/turf area alongside the main runway. Although the touchdown was successful, during the landing roll, the nose gear strut dug into the soft terrain, and the airplane nosed over onto its back. The pilot, who was flying the second airplane in a flight of two, was maneuvering in the traffic pattern at a remote back-country airstrip. The approach to the airstrip required the pilots to make a precise base leg to final turn between two steep rock cliffs. During the accident pilot's turn to final approach, he inadvertently made too wide of a turn, resulting in the airplane's nose and right main landing gear colliding with the cliff and becoming separated from the airframe. After the pilot in the other airplane confirmed the extent of the damage, the pilot flying the accident airplane maneuvered to a town where emergency personnel could be available on the ground. Due to the damage, the pilot decided to land in the grass/turf area alongside the main runway. During the landing roll, the nose gear strut dug into the soft terrain and the airplane nosed over onto its back. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surfa-Soft-Contributed to outcome
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Mountainous/hilly terrain-Response/compensation - C