Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA31 near Fairbanks, AK — 2024-08-05

Final reportANC24LA074
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Date
2024-08-05
Location
Fairbanks, AK, USA
Airport
PAFA
Aircraft
PIPER PA31
Registration
N9FW
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's continuation of an unstabilized approach and his failure to monitor the aircraft's altitude and airspeed during the approach, resulting in a loss of control.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, after entering the traffic pattern before landing, the local tower controller asked him if he could accept a short approach to the arriving runway to accommodate other arriving traffic, and the pilot accepted. As the pilot maneuvered the airplane from the base leg to final approach, he allowed the airplane to descend below the intended glidepath, and he inadvertently allowed the airplanes airspeed to decay. As the airplane passed over the runway threshold, it rolled to the left, and the left wing struck the runway. The pilot momentarily aborted the landing but landed the airplane on a gravel covered airstrip, which was straight ahead and a short distance away. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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