Casualties unknown

Tailwheel Airplane Departs Airstrip During Landing, Strikes Tree (N3125N)

Healy, AK, US

On April 27, 1999, a DE Havilland DHC-3 (registration N3125N) operated by Forty Mile Air Ltd. was involved in an aviation accident near Healy, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's selection of an unsafe/hazardous area for landing. Factors in the accident were the presence of a tail wind, the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the wind conditions, and a narrow airstrip. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A tailwheel-equipped airplane veered off a narrow ridge airstrip during landing, striking a tree and sustaining wing damage. The pilot reported a 15-knot tailwind.

Accident Details

The accident involved a certificated airline transport pilot landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a remote airstrip located on a ridge line. The flight was an on-demand air taxi operation, and it was the pilot's third landing of the day on that airstrip.

Airstrip Description

The airstrip is oriented east/west and measures about 1,500 feet in length and approximately 10 feet in width. According to the pilot, it is a one-way airstrip, with landings performed toward the west. The strip is flat for about half of its length, after which it proceeds uphill.

Landing Sequence

During the landing, the pilot touched down on the strip on the main landing gear. Before the tail wheel touched down, a gust of wind pushed the airplane off the left side of the strip. The pilot reported that a tail wind was present, about 15 knots from 090 degrees.

Damage

The leading edge of the left wing struck a tree, damaging the wing tip and wing nose ribs.

Probable Cause

Not specified in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001205X00413. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.