Accident Piper PA-12 N112PA, Saturday 5 April 1997

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Date:	Saturday 5 April 1997
Time:	16:00 LT
Type:	Piper PA-12
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N112PA
MSN:	12-2158
Year of manufacture:	1947
Total airframe hrs:	2934 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming O-320-A2B
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Kotzebue, AK - United States of America
Phase:	Taxi
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	(KOTZ)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The pilot landed in a remote area with a ski equipped airplane. He planned to transport an injured person and another passenger to an airport. The pilot began to taxi across a frozen and snow covered river to begin the takeoff roll. While taxiing, the right ski broke through a layer of soft ice, and the pilot applied engine power to exit the hole. The right main landing gear failed at the fuselage attach point.

Probable Cause: the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for taxi and takeoff. Soft/snow covered terrain was a related factor.

Accident investigation: