Piper PA31 N317AK accident near Port Alsworth, Alaska

Probable cause

A hard landing that occurred at an unknown time and date, which resulted in substantial damage.

NTSB analysis

The pilot performed a preflight inspection and departed to his destination. He stated that after a normal approach the left wing “dipped” at touchdown. The airplane subsequently “landed hard” on the left side. After the landing, the pilot shutdown the airplane and requested a company mechanic to inspect the landing gear. A visual examination of the landing gear was performed, but no damage was found.

Subsequent examination of the airplane conducted three days later, revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, and left wing consistent with a hard landing. The airplane is also used for training, and it could not be determined if the airplane was flown after the hard landing.

The pilot at the time of the hard landing, and the date and time of occurrence was undetermined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN22LA381 for the full record.