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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

March 20, 2021 · Beech A36 · N1820L

Port Alsworth, AK

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 20, 2021
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Port Alsworth, AK
Aircraft
Beech A36 (1976)
Tail Number
N1820L
Operator
Lake Clark Air
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC21LA027

According to the pilot, during the approach to land on a plowed- snow-covered runway, he selected a touchdown point near, what he had identified as, the runway threshold. On short final a pilot-rated passenger seated in the right front seat recommended adding power. The pilot assumed this was to “cushion” the landing not realizing he was landing short of the runway’s plowed surface. Subsequently, the airplane touchdown in an area of unplowed snow, impacted a snow berm, and the nosewheel collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been prevented if there were clear runway threshold markings to define the runway’s plowed surface. According to the operator, cones are normally used to identify the runway threshold; however, they had been removed due to ongoing snow removal operations on the day of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misidentification of the airport’s active runway, which resulted in an off runway landing and a collision with a snow berm. Contributing to the accident was the runway’s lack of identifying markings.

Full Narrative

According to the pilot, during the approach to land on a plowed- snow-covered runway, he selected a touchdown point near, what he had identified as, the runway threshold. On short final a pilot-rated passenger seated in the right front seat recommended adding power. The pilot assumed this was to “cushion” the landing not realizing he was landing short of the runway’s plowed surface. Subsequently, the airplane touchdown in an area of unplowed snow, impacted a snow berm, and the nosewheel collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been prevented if there were clear runway threshold markings to define the runway’s plowed surface. According to the operator, cones are normally used to identify the runway threshold; however, they had been removed due to ongoing snow removal operations on the day of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:15 AKDT
Nearest AirportPort Alsworth (0nm ESE)
Runway06L
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech A36
Tail NumberN1820L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLake Clark Air
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · IO-550B · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 6 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point28 F / 16 F
Altimeter29.54 inHg
Observation Time14:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data