ANC99LA059

Factual narrative

On May 7, 1999, about 1155 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N1808T, was destroyed by fire after landing at the Galena Airport, Galena, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The first pilot, seated in the right seat, and the second pilot, seated in the left seat, both certificated private pilots, were not injured. The airplane was owned by the second pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on May 7, both pilots reported that the purpose of the flight was to demonstrate the airplane to the first pilot, who was interested in purchasing a one-half interest. The second pilot stated that while the first pilot was landing on runway 25, about 4 feet above the runway, the nose of the airplane suddenly dropped. The nose landing gear contacted the runway hard, and collapsed. He said that the airplane slid to a stop, and they both escaped from the airplane, which was then consumed by a postcrash fire. In his written statement to the NTSB, the first pilot added that while seated on the right side of the airplane, it was difficult to read the airspeed indicator that was positioned on the far left side on the instrument panel. Both pilots noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The first pilot, seated in the right seat, was interested in purchasing a one-half interest from the airplane owner and second pilot, seated in the left seat. Both pilots reported that the first pilot was manipulating the controls as the airplane approached for landing on runway 25. They said that about 4 feet above the runway, the nose of the airplane suddenly dropped. The nose landing gear contacted the runway hard, and collapsed. They reported that the airplane slid to a stop, and they both escaped from the airplane, which was then consumed by a postcrash fire. In his written statement to the NTSB, the first pilot added that while seated on the right side of the airplane, it was difficult to read the airspeed indicator that was positioned on the far left side on the instrument panel. Both pilots noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12