Event ANC12LA113

Factual narrative

On September 28, 2012, about 1016 Alaska daylight time, an Aviat Inc. Husky A-1 airplane, N36LE, sustained substantial damage while landing at Chena Marina Airport, Fairbanks, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. During an on-scene interview with the National Transportation Safety Board(NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on September 28, the pilot stated that the accident flight originated at Chena Marina Airport, for a local flight to practice touch-and-go landings. He had completed several touch-and-go landings, and was returning for a full stop. The touchdown was normal, but during the landing roll the tail began to rise, he applied full back pressure on the control stick in an attempt to lower the tail, but the airplane nosed-over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder, lift struts, and wings. The pilot stated there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. During a conversation with the NTSB IIC, an aircraft mechanic who responded to the accident site, said he found both main wheels turned freely. He also observed skid marks from the main wheels on the gravel surfaced runway. A postaccident examination revealed material from the brake shoes had adhered to both main brake discs. The closest weather reporting facility is Fairbanks International Airport, approximately 2 mile east of the accident site. At 0953, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) at Fairbanks, Alaska, reported: wind clam; visibility, 10 statute miles; scattered clouds at 5000 feet; broken clouds at 8500 feet; temperature, 37 degrees F; dew point 34 degrees F; altimeter, 29.22 inHG. The pilot reported that he had completed several touch-and-go landings and was returning for a final, full stop landing. The touchdown was normal, but during the landing roll, the tail began to rise. The pilot applied full back pressure on the control stick in an attempt to lower the tail, but the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder, lift struts, and wings. The pilot stated there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A witness who responded to the accident site reported that both main wheels turned freely and observed skid marks on the gravel surfaced runway. A postaccident examination revealed brake shoe material had adhered to both brake discs. Thus, given the lack of mechanical anomalies with the airplane, it is likely that the pilot applied excessive braking during the landing roll. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Landing gear brakes system-Unneccessary use/operation - C