Cessna 180 N9203T accident near Nome, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate glide path during landing, which resulted in the airplane landing short of the runway and impacting a barricade. Contributing to the accident was the airport manager's improper placement and marking of a metal barricade that encroached on the runway safety area.

NTSB analysis

The pilot stated that while landing on a gravel surfaced runway in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, a downdraft was encountered, which forced the airplane to the ground prematurely. The airplane subsequently impacted an estimated 38-inch-high metal barricade that was located about 90 feet from the runway threshold resulting in substantial damage to the right wing lift strut

The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The airport manager stated that the metal barricade sections were erected each summer season to prevent All-Terrain Vehicles from using the runway, thus mitigating runway incursions.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC16CA040 for the full record.