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NTSB Report

February 24, 2002 · Cessna 208B · N454SF

Tununak, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 24, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Tununak, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 208B
Tail Number
N454SF
Operator
Grant Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC02LA016

During the landing roll, the pilot braked to a stop with the nose wheel atop a snow drift. The pilot released the brakes and the airplane rolled backward. When the pilot reapplied the brakes the aircraft rocked rearward, pivoting on the main landing gear, and the tail struck the ground, damaging two fuselage bulkheads.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Factors associated with the accident are snow drifts across the runway, and excessive braking during the rearward roll.

Full Narrative

On February 24, 2002, about 1830 Alaska standard time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 208B airplane, N454SF, sustained substantial damage during taxi, after landing at the Tununak Airport, Tununak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cargo flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Grant Aviation, Inc. of Anchorage, Alaska. The solo certificated airline transport pilot was not injured. The flight originated at the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska, about 1750. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on February 25, the director of operations for the operator reported that while en route to the Tununak airport the pilot had received a pilot report, stating that only half of the length of the 2,010 foot runway was plowed. When the pilot braked to a stop on the runway, the nose wheel of the airplane stopped on a snowdrift crossing the runway. When he released the brakes, the airplane started to roll backward off the snowdrift. When he reapplied the brakes to stop the roll, the airplane rocked rearward, pivoting on the main landing gear, and the tail struck the snow-covered ground. The pilot inspected the airplane and found that the tail tie down ring and the aft fuselage bulkhead were damaged. During a telephone conversation with the IIC on March 4, the director of maintenance reported that the two furthest-aft fuselage bulkheads (Station 474.4 and 475.88), and the tail tie down ring and doublers, were replaced due to the damage received in the accident. He said the airplane had no known mechanical problems or damage prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 AKST
Nearest AirportTUNUNAK (0nm)
Runway08
Runway Length2010 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 208B
Tail NumberN454SF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGrant Aviation
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W Canada · PT6A-114A · Turboprop · 675
Seats11

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data