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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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November 3, 2002 · Douglas DC-3 · N32TN

Port Alsworth, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 3, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Port Alsworth, AK
Aircraft
Douglas DC-3
Tail Number
N32TN
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC03LA011

A Douglas DC-3 airplane was landing at a privately owned airstrip. The operator's general manager reported that during a prelanding inspection of the airstrip, both pilots noticed a large tractor parked alongside the approach end of the airstrip, and planned to fly an approach accordingly. As the approach phase of the landing continued, the flight encountered a slight downdraft as the airplane passed over the approach end of airstrip. During the slight descent, just before touchdown, the airplane's left wing struck a 25-foot high iron mast that was attached to the parked tractor, severing about 14 feet of the airplane's outboard left wing. After the collision, the crew was able to complete the landing. Both flight crew members reported that they were unaware the 25-foot high iron mast was attached to the tractor.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flightcrew's failure to maintain clearance while landing, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a 25-foot high iron mast. Contributing factors were a downdraft, and a 25-foot high iron mast attached to a tractor.

Full Narrative

On November 3, 2002, about 1310 Alaska Standard Time, a Douglas DC-3 airplane, N32TN, sustained substantial damage when it struck an object while landing at a privately owned airstrip located at Port Alsworth, 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 as Flight 1028 by TransNorthern, LLC., Anchorage, Alaska. The commercial certificated captain, airline transport certificated first officer, and one passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight-following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage, about 1205. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on November 4, the operator's general manager reported that the airplane was being utilized to transport building materials to Port Alsworth. The general manager said that the crew told her that during a prelanding inspection of the Port Alsworth airstrip, both crew members noticed a large tractor that was parked alongside the approach end of the airstrip. She said that the crew planned to fly an approach that would avoid the tractor. She said as the approach phase of the landing continued, the crew encountered a slight downdraft as the airplane passed over the approach end of runway 05L. During the slight descent, just before touchdown, the airplane's left wing struck a 25-foot high iron mast that was attached to the parked tractor. After the collision, the crew was able to complete the landing. A postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed that 14 feet of the airplane's left wing was severed from the airplane during the collision. Additionally, the left elevator was damaged. The captain reported to the general manager that he, as well as the first officer, were unaware the 25-foot high iron mast was attached to the tractor.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:10 AKST
Nearest AirportPort Alsworth (0nm)
Runway5L
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDouglas DC-3
Tail NumberN32TN
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsWright · 1820-80 · Reciprocating · 1475
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 51 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 53 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 20 kt, gusting 30 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data