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ANC24LA019

2024-03-17 · Anchorage, Alaska, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport MRI

Current FAA registration · N696AK

Make / Model
MICHAEL G DARBY DARD 1
Year of manufacture
1996 · 28 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING O-360-A1H6 (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
1 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20230715
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A9410A

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s loss of directional control while landing in soft snow, resulting in a nose over.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during approach to the snow-covered runway in flat light conditions, the runway end lights were off making it difficult to see the runway. He lined up on what he perceived to be the runway centerline and noted ski tracks to the right of his position. After a normal touchdown, he increased power for a touch-and-go; however, he noticed the skis bogged down into the soft snow. There was a sudden deceleration, and the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the rudder. After landing he realized he had misidentified the runway and landed in softer snow, in an area between the runway and taxiway. The pilot reported no pre-impact 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-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
  • — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Light condition-Flat light-Effect on personnel
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Pitch control-Capability exceeded

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2024_ANC24LA019.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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