Probable cause
The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site, resulting in a main landing gear collapse during the landing roll.
NTSB analysis
The private pilot was landing on a ridgeline in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. He reported that after landing, his landing roll was longer than anticipated, and the airplane rolled into an area of rough and uneven terrain. He said that the airplane's left main landing gear wheel struck rock, and the left main landing gear leg collapsed. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing and the left wing lift struts. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC08CA115 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 31, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fairbanks, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-22
- N-number
- N3414A
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.