Aircraft collision with terrain during aborted landing

Casualties unknown • Arctic Village, AK, US

A pilot attempted to abort a landing at an off-airport site, resulting in the aircraft striking rising terrain and a dry creek bed.

What happened

The pilot was performing a landing to the west on an off-airport site. Following touchdown, the pilot determined that the aircraft would not be able to stop before reaching the end of the available landing area and subsequently attempted to abort the landing.

To execute the abort, the pilot applied full takeoff power. While the aircraft became airborne during this maneuver, it failed to gain enough altitude to clear rising terrain located at the end of the site. The aircraft then collided with a dry creek bed. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the wings and the fuselage. The pilot was not injured.

At the time of the accident, wind conditions were estimated to be from the southeast at 5 knots, with peak gusts reaching 10 knots.

Probable cause

The pilot's attempt to abort the landing by applying full takeoff power resulted in insufficient altitude to clear rising terrain at the end of the landing site.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1998-08-28 Piper PA-22 accident near Arctic Village, AK?

A pilot attempted to abort a landing at an off-airport site, resulting in the aircraft striking rising terrain and a dry creek bed.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1998-08-28 involved a Piper PA-22, registration N3100Z, at Arctic Village, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's attempt to abort the landing by applying full takeoff power resulted in insufficient altitude to clear rising terrain at the end of the landing site.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X10752. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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