Piper PA31 N995AK accident near Chignik Lagoon, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot’s selection of an unsuitable runway for landing, which resulted in a loss of control and runway excursion.

NTSB analysis

The commercial pilot reported that he performed a fly over of the intended landing runway and determined that it was wet and muddy. During the landing roll, the braking action was minimal due to ice on the surface. The pilot determined that the airplane was not going to stop before the end of the runway, so he applied differential engine power to spin the airplane around; however, the airplane slid off the runway and impacted a snow berm resulting in the collapse of the left landing gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer.

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

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC19CA010 for the full record.