Casualties unknown

Pilot Lands Long on Mountain Strip, Overruns in Wet Grass (N6981B)

Anchorage, AK, US

On September 2, 2002, a Piper PA-18 (registration N6981B) was involved in an aviation accident near Anchorage, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point on a remote airstrip, and his failure to perform a go-around that resulted in the airplane overrunning the end of the strip. 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

A private pilot landed long on a 600-foot mountain airstrip, skidded on wet grass, and overran. The left main gear struck a hole beyond the strip, shearing off and causing damage.

Accident Overview

A private certificated pilot was landing at a remote mountain airstrip. The landing strip, oriented southeast/northwest, is about 600 feet long by 15 feet wide and positioned on a ridge. The pilot reported landing toward the southeast, touching down approximately one-third of the strip's length beyond the threshold. After touchdown, the pilot applied the airplane's brakes, but the tires began to slide on wet grass. The airplane departed the end of the landing strip.

Impact and Damage

Approximately 300 feet past the end of the strip, the left main landing gear tire struck a hole. The left main landing gear was sheared off. The airplane sustained damage to the propeller, the left wing lift strut, and the left wing.

Pilot Actions and Observations

The pilot stated that after the accident, he used a hand-held wind meter and discovered he had landed with about a 5-knot tailwind. In the optional recommendation section of the NTSB Form 6120.1, the pilot suggested: "Perform go-around instead of landing long."

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020910X01581. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.