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ANC23LA050

2023-07-13 · Matanuska Glacier, Alaska, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Current FAA registration · N460JC

Make / Model
AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1B
Year of manufacture
2006 · 17 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING O-360-A1P (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20060328
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A59A66

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The airplane’s encounter with downdrafts resulting in decreased performance insufficient to outclimb rising terrain.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported he encountered downdrafts during landing on a remote gravel airstrip near a glacial base camp known for downdrafts and mountain rotors. He elected to depart the airstrip into rising terrain due to more favorable winds. During initial climb out the pilot reported the airplane encountered more downdrafts than expected. Unable to outclimb rising terrain, the pilot performed a forced landing in an area of rough, rock-covered terrain, and during landing 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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot
  • — Personnel issues-Task performance-Planning/preparation-Flight planning/navigation-Pilot
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Climb rate-Not attained/maintained
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Downdraft-Contributed to outcome

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2023_ANC23LA050.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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