The pilot in the snow ski-equipped Champion 8GCBC reported that during landing near Palmer, Alaska, just before touchdown, he noticed a rock sticking out of the snow near the intended touch-down point.
He tried to change the airplane’s course to the left, but the left ski contacted the snow when the plane was not straight with the direction of travel, and the plane bounced. The right ski then contacted the snow and the right main landing gear strut failed. The right wing hit the ground, and the airplane came to rest.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during landing, which resulted in the left ski impacting snow and a subsequent bounce and loss of directional control.
This March 2019 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.
Th=re is no shame for a go-around when something isn’t right. Trying to force a bad Lang is often the cause before loss of control.