1 Aug 2019: Douglas DC3C A — Bush Air Fuel — Kenai, AK

No fatalitiesKenai, AK, United States

A Douglas DC3C sustained substantial fuselage damage after striking a ditch and a runway light during approach.

What happened

On August 1, 2019, a Douglas DC3C, registration N59314, was on approach to Kenai, Alaska, under visual meteorological conditions. During the approach, the pilot encountered a downdraft. The tailwheel of the aircraft landed short of the runway threshold, subsequently striking a ditch and impacting a runway light.

The pilot reported that the wind conditions consisted of a front left quartering crosswind of 22 or more knots with gusts. There were no injuries resulting from the accident, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

Probable cause

The pilot failed to maintain the proper approach path while operating in gusting crosswind conditions, leading to the aircraft landing short of the runway and striking a ditch and a runway light.

Contributing factors

Descent/approach/glide path — Not attained/maintainedPilotEffect on operation