19990419020419A

On April 19, 1999, about 1418 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped britten-norman BN-2B-21 airplane, N4145A, received substantial damage while landing at the Kongiganak Airport, Kongiganak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) non scheduled cargo flight under title 14, part 135, when the accident occured. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, larry's flying service, inc., fairbanks, Alaska. The solo airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR company flight plan was in effect. The flight originated at the bethel airport, bethel, Alaska, about 1242. During a telephone conversation with the national transportation safety board investigator-in-charge on April 20, the pilot reported that prior to landing on runway 18, he did a visual inspection of the landing surface. He noted that the runway appeared wet in some areas, but within acceptable limits for landing. He said that during the final stages of the landing roll, while on the runway and moving at a relatively slow ground speed, the airplane's nose wheel encountered a large, water and mud-filled hole. The airplane sustained su bstantial damage to the nose wheel bulkhead. During the pilot's post accident inspection of runway 18 at Kongiganak, he said he discovered a large hole about 15 inches deep, by 1 foot wide, and 20 feet long in the middle of the runway. After he reported the accident to the flight service station personnel, the runway was closed to all operations until repairs could be accomplished. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. (.4) the certificated airline transport pilot reported that prior to landing he did a visual inspection of the runway. He noted that the runway appeared wet in some areas, but within acceptable limits for landing. He said that during the final stages of the landing roll, while moving at a relatively slow ground speed, the airplane's nose wheel encountered a large, water and mud-filled hole. He said that his postaccident inspection revealed that the nose strut had been bent aft, about 20 degrees from its original position. A subsequent inspection of the runway revealed a large, water-filled hole about 15 inches deep, by 1 foot wide, and 20 feet long in the middle of t he runway. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. A subsequent inspection revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the nose wheel bulkhead. (-23) on April 19, 1999 an islander, mod. BN2B-2, airplane, N414JA, operated by larry's flying service, sustained substantial damage during landing roll out at Kongiganak, Alaska. Piloted by robert e. elmer, an airline transport pilot, who was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airplane carrying cargo only, was on a company flight plan. The pilot reported that during landing roll out the nose wheel hit a hole filled with water. Damage to nose strut and nose gear bulkhead resulted.