On August 26, 1984, a Cessna 188 (registration N731BT) operated by Holland Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Fairbanks, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during approach due to a downdraft, which resulted in an undershoot of the runway. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft landed short of the runway at a mining strip after encountering a downdraft during approach. The pilot attempted to jettison a load of diesel fuel but could not prevent the descent to the ground.
What happened
The aircraft landed short of the runway at a mining strip. The pilot reported encountering a downdraft during the final approach phase. Despite applying full power in an attempt to maintain altitude, the aircraft continued its descent and impacted the ground.
Upon impact, the aircraft was loaded with 150 gallons of diesel fuel stored in a hopper. The pilot attempted to jettison this load immediately after the incident. This specific aircraft has been used primarily to haul fuel to mining strips in the surrounding area.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the landing and the subsequent impact. Examination confirmed the aircraft was carrying a significant fuel load at the time of the event.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during approach due to a downdraft, which resulted in an undershoot of the runway.
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