This June 2009 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Piper Cub. Injuries: None. Location: Alamana, Fla. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot and a passenger flew to a privately-owned airport with a grass runway. The pilot circled the airport and made a low pass to check the condition of the runway. He noticed that the runway had not been mowed recently but appeared free of standing water. He landed and rolled down the runway. The landing sank into the soft terrain and the pilot discovered the runway did have standing water on it. The airplane nosed over.
Probable cause: The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing.
For more information: NTSB.gov NTSB identification: ERA09CA334.
