The pilot was landing the Cessna 172 on a soft tidal beach in Juneau, Alaska. He reported that he had landed the day before at the same location without incident.
During the landing roll, the landing gear contacted an area of soft sand, and the plane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and left lift strut.
The pilot stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had a better knowledge and understanding of landing conditions on tidal beaches.
The NTSB determined the probable cause as the pilot’s decision to land on an unsuitable surface, which resulted in a nose over.
NTSB Identification: ANC14CA005
This November 2013 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.
