Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach path which resulted in landing short of the runway and impact with terrain.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during a second landing attempt at a private airport, in night conditions, the airplane descended below the glide path and landed short of the runway in an area of heavily forested terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation, and the accident may have been prevented if the runway was equipped with a visual glide slope indicator.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC22LA009 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 2, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Port Alsworth, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Port Alsworth (PAKX)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Cessna 208
- N-number
- N9602F
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1985
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 135 (charter and commuter)
- Purpose of flight
- Business
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.