Probable cause
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for the landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was landing at a remote, private airstrip. He said the landing area was soft, and as the airplane touched down it veered to the left. His efforts to abort the landing with the runway remaining was unsuccessful. The airplane exited the right side of the landing area and collided with a fuel tank farm. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, aileron, and the fuselage. The pilot said there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC11LA048 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 28, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Bettles Field, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Sun Private
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Dehavilland DHC-3T
- N-number
- N87AW
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 135 (charter and commuter)
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.