FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Private Pilot Noses Over Airplane While Testing Tundra Landing Strip (N2631D)

Dillingham, AK, US

On June 6, 2004, a Cessna 170B (registration N2631D) was involved in an aviation accident near Dillingham, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing over during the landing flare/touchdown. A factor contributing to the accident was soft tundra terrain. 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

A private pilot nosed over his airplane while testing a remote tundra area for landing strip suitability. The main landing gear tires dug into soft ground, causing the aircraft to flip, resulting in damage to the propeller, fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder.

Overview

A private certificated pilot was conducting a test of a remote tundra-covered area to assess its suitability as a landing strip. The selected area was adjacent to a river. During the test, the pilot configured the airplane with 20 degrees of flaps and touched the main landing gear tires onto the tundra surface.

Event Details

As the tires made contact, they penetrated the soft tundra ground. The airplane nosed over as a result of the tires digging in. The pilot had intended only to test the surface by touching down briefly, but the soft terrain caused the aircraft to flip.

Damage

The accident resulted in damage to multiple components of the airplane: the propeller, the fuselage, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder.

The pilot reported no injuries. No other persons or aircraft were involved. The exact time of day, weather conditions, and aircraft identification were not specified in the report.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 6 Jun 2004 Cessna 170B accident near Dillingham, AK?

A private pilot nosed over his airplane while testing a remote tundra area for landing strip suitability. The main landing gear tires dug into soft ground, causing the aircraft to flip, resulting in damage to the propeller, fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder.

Were there any fatalities in the 6 Jun 2004 Cessna 170B accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 6 Jun 2004 involved a Cessna 170B, registration N2631D, at Dillingham, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing over during the landing flare/touchdown. A factor contributing to the accident was soft tundra terrain.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20040608X00746. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.