Probable cause
The pilot's decision to land on an unsuitable surface, which resulted in a nose over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was landing a tricycle landing gear-equipped airplane on a soft tidal beach. He reported that he had landed the day before at the same location without incident. During the landing roll, the landing gear contacted an area of soft sand, and the airplane nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and left lift strut. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had a better knowledge and understanding of landing conditions on tidal beaches.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC14CA005 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 12, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Juneau, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N709SB
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1958
- 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.