Probable cause
The pilot's excessive use of brakes during an off-airport landing, resulting in the airplane nosing over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was on a federal public use wildlife surveillance flight under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot reported that while landing at an off-airport site he applied the brakes too hard and the airplane nosed over. He reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies, and that the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wing lift struts, the vertical stabilizer, and the tops of the wings.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC09TA092 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 3, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Gulkana, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1B
- N-number
- N37HY
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Public aircraft
- Purpose of flight
- PUBF
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.