# NTSB ANC12CA036: Short Bros. & Harland SC7 Series 3, N1906, Chefornak, AK, May 3, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 3, 2012, 10:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: Chefornak, AK - Coordinates: 60.142776, -164.284729 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.1428&lon=-164.2847&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO-03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 83557 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12CA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83557/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83557 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA036 ## Probable cause The pilot's misidentification of a nearby snow-covered road as the snow-covered runway in flat light conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Short Bros. & Harland SC7 SERIES 3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=8100512), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Light condition: flat light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Short Bros. & Harland SC7 SERIES 3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md?model=8100512), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Short Bros. & Harland SC7 SERIES 3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=8100512), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402); cases with it: [Short Bros. & Harland SC7 SERIES 3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=8100512), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Short Bros. & Harland SC7 SERIES 3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=8100512), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Short Bros. & Harland SC7 SERIES 3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8100512), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing on a narrow gravel runway adjacent to a gravel road. He reported that both the road and runway were covered with snow and that flat light conditions made it difficult to discern between the two surfaces. He inadvertently landed to the left of the runway on the rough road, which resulted in structural damage to the nose landing gear bulkhead. ## Factual narrative The pilot was landing on a narrow gravel runway adjacent to a gravel road. He reported that both the road and runway were covered with snow, and that flat light conditions made it difficult to discern between the two surfaces. He inadvertently landed to the left of the runway on the rough road, which resulted in structural damage to the nose landing gear bulkhead. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1906](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1906-2015-01-02), registration cancelled 2015-01-02, S/N SH1906, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SHORT BROS. & HARLAND SC7 SERIES 3 - Registry model: [Short Bros. & Harland SC7 SERIES 3](https://openairdocs.org/model/short-bros-harland-sc7-series-3) (registry code 8100512) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01514, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: SH1906 - Airframe hours: 9970 - Engines: Honeywell TPE331-2-201A 750 horsepower turbo prop; Honeywell TPE331-2-201A 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Ryan Air Inc - Registered owner: Ryan Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, April 2, 2012 - Departed: PABE, Bethel, AK - Destination: PACK, Chefornak, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: PACK, Chefornak, runway 34, 2,500 × 28 ft, snow ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 20, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 19,544 total, 4,682 in this make and model, 18,942 as pilot in command, 194 in the last 90 days, 91 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: PACK ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 27, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83557. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372801&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.