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Casualties unknown

Landing Gear Collapse During Unpowered Landing on Brush-Covered Hillside (N3539E)

Clear, AK, US

On September 1, 1986, a Cessna 180B (registration N3539E) was involved in an aviation accident near Clear, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain visual reference with the runway environment during a night/dusk approach, which resulted in an overrun and subsequent collision with uneven terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-20Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot attempting a landing at dusk on a previously used airstrip lost sight of the touchdown area due to darkness and shadows, resulting in an overrun and gear collapse.

What happened

The pilot and a passenger were engaged in a hunting trip when they identified a clearing on a brush-covered hillside for a landing. This specific location had been utilized previously as an airstrip. As the aircraft approached the site during the final phase of flight at dusk, visibility conditions deteriorated rapidly. The pilot lost sight of the intended touchdown area because of the encroaching darkness and deep shadows cast by the terrain.

During the landing sequence, the aircraft failed to stop within the available pavement or cleared ground. It overran the designated landing zone. Upon exiting the prepared surface, the left main landing gear encountered uneven terrain. The structural integrity of the gear was compromised by this impact, causing it to collapse.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain visual reference with the runway environment during a night/dusk approach, which resulted in an overrun and subsequent collision with uneven terrain.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1 Sept 1986 Cessna 180B accident near Clear, AK?

A pilot attempting a landing at dusk on a previously used airstrip lost sight of the touchdown area due to darkness and shadows, resulting in an overrun and gear collapse.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1 Sept 1986 involved a Cessna 180B, registration N3539E, at Clear, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain visual reference with the runway environment during a night/dusk approach, which resulted in an overrun and subsequent collision with uneven terrain.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X34375. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.