Probable cause
The pilot's misidentification of a nearby snow-covered road as the snow-covered runway in flat light conditions.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was landing on a narrow gravel runway adjacent to a gravel road. He reported that both the road and runway were covered with snow and that flat light conditions made it difficult to discern between the two surfaces. He inadvertently landed to the left of the runway on the rough road, which resulted in structural damage to the nose landing gear bulkhead.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC12CA036 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 3, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Chefornak, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Chefornak (PACK)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Short Bros. & Harland SC7 SERIES 3
- N-number
- N1906
- 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.