Kaktovic, AK, USA
N295SC
HELIO H-295
The airline transport pilot was on a Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 passenger flight, and was landing on a snow-covered glacier surrounded by mountains. During the approach to the glacier, the pilot said she encountered a strong downdraft as the airplane passed a ridge line. The airplane descended below her anticipated approach path, and she initiated a go-around, but the airplane continued to descend, and landed hard, about 200 feet short of the intended touchdown point. During touchdown, the airplane’s right main landing gear axle broke, which pivoted the airplane to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left side of the fuselage. In the pilot’s written statement to the NTSB, she reported that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. She indicated that the surface wind on the glacier itself was light and variable, in contrast to the downdraft she encountered. She said that during subsequent approaches to the same site, she has altered her landing approaches to minimize the exposure to downdrafts, and increased the approach altitude, which would allow for a go-around if required.
On May 16, 2009, about 1250 Alaska daylight time, a wheel ski-equipped Helio H-295 airplane, N295SC, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on snow-covered glacial terrain, about 56 miles south of Kaktovic, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by Alaska Flyers, Fairbanks, Alaska, as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand charter flight, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135. The airline transport pilot and the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight departed the Fairbanks International Airport, Fairbanks, about 0830. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on May 18, the pilot reported that she was landing at the 6,200 foot level of the McCall Glacier, which was surrounded by mountainous terrain. She said that during the approach she encountered a downdraft as the airplane passed by a ridge line, and the airplane began to descend below her anticipated approach path. She added full engine power to initiate a go-around, but the airplane continued to descend, and it landed hard about 200 feet short of her intended touchdown point. During touchdown, the airplane’s right main landing gear axle broke, which pivoted the airplane to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left side of the fuselage. The pilot characterized wind conditions on the surface of the glacier as light and variable, but reported encountering stronger winds during the approach. In the pilot’s written statement to the NTSB, she indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. She also noted that following this accident, during subsequent approaches to the same site, she altered her landing approach to minimize the exposure to downdrafts in the area, and increased the approach altitude, which would allow for a go-around if required.
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane after an in-flight encounter with a downdraft while landing in mountainous terrain, and her decision to fly at an altitude where such an encounter made a successful recovery unlikely.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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