Accident Overview
On May 28, 2011, at approximately 1400 Alaska daylight time, a De Havilland DHC-3T airplane, registration N87AW, sustained substantial damage during landing at a private airstrip located about 80 miles northwest of Bettles Field, Alaska. The aircraft was operated by Alaska West Air of Kenai, Alaska, as a visual flight rules (VFR) passenger flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. The commercial pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight had departed Coldfoot, Alaska, about 1300.
Post-Accident Statements
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge on May 29, the director of operations for the operator reported that the airplane ran off the end of the runway and entered a fuel tank farm. The right wing and aileron were damaged after striking a fuel storage tank. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies prior to the accident.
In a written statement to the NTSB dated August 1, the pilot described the landing area as soft. After touchdown, the airplane veered slightly to the left, and the pilot corrected to the right. When he attempted to bring the airplane back to the left, he found insufficient rudder and brake authority to steer left, and there was not enough runway remaining to abort the landing. The airplane continued beyond the runway and collided with fuel spill equipment, which stopped its forward motion.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained substantial damage, specifically to the right wing and aileron. No injuries were reported among the two occupants.