Probable cause
The student pilot's decision to attempt an off-airport landing and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that he was attempting to land at the short and rough off-airport site in his personal tailwheel-equipped airplane at the conclusion of a Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight. He said during the landing roll, the airplane encountered a dip in the surface, and he lost directional control, with the airplane veering to the right, off the airstrip, and nosing over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and its associated lift struts. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC09CA107 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 27, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fairbanks, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Na (NA)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-20
- N-number
- N5540A
- 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.