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NTSB Report

August 8, 1999 · Cessna A188-B · N731UW

Bettles, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 8, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Bettles, AK
Aircraft
Cessna A188-B
Tail Number
N731UW
Operator
William H Michel
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC99LA109

The commercial certificated pilot was landing at a remote mining airstrip to repair an area of soft ground on the strip. The pilot reported that rain was falling at the time. The airstrip is about 1,000 feet long, and 50 feet wide, at an elevation of 1,120 feet msl. During the landing roll after touchdown, the left main tire entered the area of soft ground. The airplane ground looped to the left, and received damage to the right wing, the right horizontal stabilizer, and the right elevator.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor was soft terrain.

Full Narrative

On August 7, 1999, about 2300 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna A188-B airplane, N731UW, sustained substantial damage during landing at a remote mining airstrip, about 50 miles north of Bettles, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane was registered to Allwest Freight Corp., Flat, Alaska, and operated by the pilot. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Nenana Municipal Airport, Nenana, Alaska, about 2130. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 9, 1999, the pilot reported he was landing toward the south at the mine airstrip. The airstrip is oriented north/south, and is about 1,000 feet long, and 50 feet wide, at an elevation of 1,120 feet msl. The pilot said rain was falling, and he was flying to the airstrip to repair an area of soft ground on the strip. During the landing roll, the left main tire entered the area of soft ground. The airplane ground looped to the left, and received damage to the right wing, the right horizontal stabilizer, and the right elevator. The pilot did not submit a Pilot/Operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna A188-B
Tail NumberN731UW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliam H Michel
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 10 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data