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Passenger Accounts Describe Low Approach and Hard Landing (N670PA)

ST George, AK, US

On May 4, 1996, a Swearingen SW-4 (registration N670PA) was involved in an aviation accident near ST George, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: failure of the captain to maintain proper altitude and wingtip clearance, while aligning the airplane with the runway before landing. His delay in aligning the aircraft with the runway was a related factor. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

According to passenger accounts, the airplane approached low, turned right, and dragged its right wing on the runway. The landing gear sheared off. AWOS reported 300-foot overcast, 2.5 miles visibility with fog. The captain cited crosswind drift and a corrective turn. Stall warning horn sounded.

Incident Overview

According to passenger accounts, the airplane was flying low and approached the runway at an angle. The airplane made a right turn and dragged the right wing on the runway's surface. The airplane landed hard and sheared off the right main landing gear and the nose gear.

Weather Conditions

The weather reported by the automated weather observing system (AWOS) was 300-foot overcast with a visibility of 2.5 miles with fog.

Captain's Account

The captain stated that the airplane drifted to the left side of the runway due to the crosswind, and he executed a right turn to realign with the runway.

Cockpit Voice Recorder

The cockpit voice recorder indicated that the stall warning horn sounded as the first officer called for the application of power.

Damage

The hard landing resulted in the shear-off of the right main landing gear and the nose gear.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 4 May 1996 Swearingen SW-4 accident near ST George, AK?

According to passenger accounts, the airplane approached low, turned right, and dragged its right wing on the runway. The landing gear sheared off. AWOS reported 300-foot overcast, 2.5 miles visibility with fog. The captain cited crosswind drift and a corrective turn. Stall warning horn sounded.

Were there any fatalities in the 4 May 1996 Swearingen SW-4 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 4 May 1996 involved a Swearingen SW-4, registration N670PA, at ST George, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

failure of the captain to maintain proper altitude and wingtip clearance, while aligning the airplane with the runway before landing. His delay in aligning the aircraft with the runway was a related factor.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X05683. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.