Event ANC25LA082

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was landing, in gusty windy conditions, on a remote airstrip that was surrounded by trees, and he made a circling approach to land into the wind. As the airplane approached the airstrip, the flaps were fully extended, and he slowed the airplane to about 50 knots. The pilot said that just before touchdown, the headwind suddenly dissipated, and the airplane landed about 20 ft short of the runway. The right wing then struck a stand of brush, resulting in a veer to the right. After touching down, the airplane spun 180° before exiting the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and elevators. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. 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).

• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
• — Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot
• — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained
• — Personnel issues-Psychological-Perception/orientation/illusion-Situational awareness-Pilot
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Variable wind-Contributed to outcome