What happened
A cargo mission traveling from Kodiak to Saint Paul Island ended in an accident during the landing phase. The aircraft, which was transporting a 19,000-liter fuel truck and nine crew members, touched down on runway 36. During the rollout, the plane experienced two instances of fishtailing. This instability caused the right wing to make contact with the runway surface, resulting in the loss of the wingtip and damage to the number four engine propeller.
Following the wing strike, the aircraft was unable to decelerate sufficiently before the end of the runway. The plane subsequently overran the paved surface, causing the landing gear to separate from the airframe. The aircraft eventually came to a stop several dozen meters past the runway threshold. Despite the impact, all nine occupants managed to exit the aircraft without injury. The aircraft was determined to be a total loss due to the extent of the structural damage.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced lateral instability, specifically fishtailing, immediately following touchdown.
- The contact between the right wing and the runway surface led to the shearing of the wingtip and propeller damage.