# Accident 20240317002909A: Michael G Darby DARD 1, Anchorage, AK, March 17, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 17, 2024, 14:20 local time
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Airport: Merrill Field
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.2156° N, 149.8396° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2156&lon=-149.8396&mi=10
- Aircraft: N696AK, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N696AK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Michael G Darby DARD 1 (registry code 05640ZB, https://openairdocs.org/model/michael-g-darby-dard-1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-360-A1H6 (registry code 42399, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1h6) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MICHAEL G DARBY DARD 1
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 947 total, 38 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC24LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA019) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240317002909A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON MARCH 17, 2024 AT APPROXIMATELY 1420L, AN AIRPLANE ON WHEEL SKIIS, AFTER A DEPARTURE FROM MRI WITH A TRIP TO LAKE GEORGE RETURNED TO MRI FOR LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ON RWY 23 THE PILOT WAS AWARE OF A OVERCAST/FLAT LIGHT CONDITION AND IN THE SNOW IT AFFECTED HIS DEPTH PERCEPTION. WITH THE RUNWAY LIGHTS OFF, THE PILOT CONFUSED THE TAXIWAY, MEDIAN AND RUNWAY; AND LANDED INADVERTENTLY ON THE MEDIAN BETWEEN THE RUNWAY AND TAXIWAY. DURING THE TOUCHDOWN THE PLANE APPEARS TO HAVE HIT A SNOW BERM AND FLIPPED ON ITS BACK DAMAGING THE AIRCRAFT INCLUDING THE PROPELLOR AND THE VERTICAL STABILIZER. THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS, AND THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. DURING THE INTERVIEW, THE PILOT NOTED THAT HE PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE REQUESTED THE LIGHTS TO BE TURNED ON AND THAT HE SHOULD HAVE GONE AROUND WHEN HE HAD MENTAL AMBIGUITY OF THE SITUATION.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC24LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA019), Mar 18, 2024: Michael G Darby Dard 1 (N696AK), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control while landing in soft snow, resulting in a nose over.

## Other reports on N696AK (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20230617008559I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230617008559I), Jun 17, 2023: Michael G Darby DARD 1 (N696AK), Anchorage, AK, No damage. Pilot flying was receiving instruction from CFI in back seat. Pilot performed several successful touch and go landings prior to the event. After performing a…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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