Casualties unknown

Homebuilt Aircraft Strikes Trees During Aborted Landing Attempt (N62849)

Anchorage, AK, US

On June 13, 2003, a Williamson GLASTAR (registration N62849) was involved in an aviation accident near Anchorage, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during an aborted landing, which resulted in the airplane impacting trees along the side of 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered N62849
Aircraft registered N62849. Photo: Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A homebuilt airplane bounced twice on landing, then the pilot attempted to abort but drifted into trees, where the right wing separated and the aircraft came to rest about 8 feet above ground.

Accident Details

The pilot of a homebuilt airplane reported that the final approach to landing was made at 60 statute miles per hour indicated airspeed. After touchdown, the aircraft encountered a bump on the runway and became airborne again. The airplane touched down a second time with a hard bounce and again became airborne. The pilot then applied full throttle and attempted to abort the landing.

Sequence of Events

During the abort, the airplane was in a nose-high attitude and drifted to the right side of the runway. The right wing struck trees and separated from the fuselage. The airplane came to rest in the trees at an elevation of approximately 8 feet above the ground. The pilot's account provides the sole description of these events, and no other details about the aircraft, location, or occupants are available from the source.

Aircraft Information

No further information about the homebuilt airplane, such as make, model, registration, or engine type, was specified in the source. The pilot alone reported the indicated airspeed and the series of bounces and the subsequent abort attempt.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 13 Jun 2003 Williamson GLASTAR accident near Anchorage, AK?

A homebuilt airplane bounced twice on landing, then the pilot attempted to abort but drifted into trees, where the right wing separated and the aircraft came to rest about 8 feet above ground.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 13 Jun 2003 involved a Williamson GLASTAR, registration N62849, at Anchorage, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during an aborted landing, which resulted in the airplane impacting trees along the side of the runway. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030618X00903. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.