Accident Overview
On October 17, 2009, at approximately 1330 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna P206C airplane, registered as N8665Z, sustained substantial damage following a runway overrun and collision with a fence and terrain at a private airstrip located about 5 miles west of Palmer, Alaska. The flight was operated under Title 14, CFR Part 91 as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal local flight. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Fairview East Airstrip in Palmer at about 1315.
Pilot Statement
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on October 22, the pilot reported that he overran the end of the runway during landing and collided with a fence and a ditch. He stated that the nose landing gear broke off and the propeller struck the ground. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. He noted damage to the nose landing gear and propeller.
Aircraft Examination
An examination of the airplane by the NTSB IIC on October 21 revealed damage to the nose landing gear and propeller, as well as structural damage to the fuselage, aft of the baggage compartment. A certificated aviation mechanic who assisted in recovering the airplane on the day of the accident reported that the airstrip measured approximately 1,300 feet in length. He stated that the airplane touched down about 400 feet down the runway. The mechanic said the fuselage damage was caused by a steel fencepost that penetrated the fuselage when the airplane collided with the airport's chain link perimeter fence.
Pilot's Written Statement
In a written statement to the NTSB, the pilot wrote that he should not have landed at that airstrip.