On September 2, 1989, a DE Havilland DHC-3 (registration N17689) was involved in an aviation accident near Sheenjek River, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO GO AROUND WHEN HE WAS UNABLE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT AND HIS EXCESSIVE APPLICATION OF BRAKES DURING THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE DOWNDRAFT, EXCESSIVE REMEDIAL ACTION, AND SOFT TERRAIN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported that during a short final approach to a gravel bar, an aircraft encountered a downdraft. After correcting with elevator and power, it landed beyond the intended touchdown point and nosed over when heavy braking caused wheels to dig into sandy terrain.
Incident Summary
A pilot reported that while on a short final approach to land on a gravel bar, the aircraft encountered a downdraft. To avoid contacting the water, the pilot corrected with elevator control and power. However, the aircraft gained more altitude than desired.
Landing and Nose-Over
Subsequently, the aircraft touched down on the gravel bar beyond the intended touchdown point. As the pilot was applying heavy braking to stop on the gravel bar, the wheels dug into the sandy terrain and the aircraft nosed over.
Conditions
The incident occurred while landing on a gravel bar. The terrain consisted of sandy material that contributed to the wheels digging in during heavy braking. The downdraft encountered on short final influenced the approach, leading to a higher than desired altitude correction.