Probable cause
The pilot landed without lowering the landing gear. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-reported fatigue.
NTSB analysis
During a visual approach in icing conditions, the pilot retracted the landing gear to prevent ice from building up on the gear. He reported that, as he applied power to abort the approach, he saw the runway and continued the landing. Due to fatigue and other distractions, the pilot said that he failed to re-extend the landing gear and landed the airplane gear-up. The airplane slid into a snow berm, and received substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC12CA012 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 8, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Kaltag, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Kaltag (PAKV)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Instrument (IMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-31-350
- N-number
- N300ED
- 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.