Casualties unknown

Runway Hole Damages Nose Gear During Landing Roll (N414JA)

Kongiganak, AK, US

On April 19, 1999, a Britten-norman BN-2B-21 (registration N414JA) was involved in an aviation accident near Kongiganak, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The deep, water filled hole in the runway. 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 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

An airline transport pilot's landing roll encountered a water-filled runway hole, bending the nose strut and causing substantial damage to the nose wheel bulkhead.

Event Details

An airline transport pilot reported that during the landing roll, after the airplane had slowed to a relatively low ground speed, the nose wheel struck a large hole filled with water and mud. The pilot had conducted a visual inspection of the runway prior to landing and noted that the runway appeared wet in some areas but within acceptable limits for landing.

Runway Condition

A subsequent inspection of the runway revealed a large water-filled hole located in the middle of the runway. The hole measured approximately 15 inches deep, 1 foot wide, and 20 feet long. The pilot stated that no preaccident mechanical anomalies were present with the airplane.

Damage

Postaccident inspection showed that the nose strut had been bent aft about 20 degrees from its original position. Further inspection determined that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the nose wheel bulkhead.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001205X00409. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.