On October 16, 1985, a Cessna 170B (registration N2491D) was involved in an aviation accident near Tok, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while landing on an airstrip with overgrown brush, which resulted in a bounce and subsequent damage to the right main gear. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The pilot landed on an Alaskan airstrip, bounced upon touchdown, and struck a tree with the left wing, resulting in damage to the right main landing gear.
What happened
The pilot elected to land on an airstrip located next to the Alaskan Highway. Upon approach, the pilot noted that brush along the edge of the runway had grown in and was higher than anticipated. During the landing roll, the aircraft bounced upon initial contact with the ground. Following the bounce, the left wing struck a small tree with a diameter between 2 and 2-1/2 inches. The impact caused the aircraft to turn, resulting in damage to the right main gear.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances of the landing and the subsequent mechanical damage. Examination confirmed that the brush along the airstrip edge had encroached upon the usable area. The physical evidence indicated a bounce during touchdown followed by a collision with vegetation. The damage was localized to the right main gear after the aircraft deviated from its intended path.
Findings
Contributing factors included the pilot's underestimation of the brush height along the airstrip edge and the subsequent bounce during landing. The collision with the tree led to the deviation and final damage to the right main gear. The situation highlights the risks of landing on unimproved strips where vegetation growth can obscure hazards.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while landing on an airstrip with overgrown brush, which resulted in a bounce and subsequent damage to the right main gear.