# NTSB ANC19LA045: Douglas C 118A, N451CE, Buckland, AK, August 1, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 1, 2019, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Buckland, AK
- Coordinates: 65.907775, -161.926391
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.9078&lon=-161.9264&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 100050
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC19LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100050/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100050
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19LA045

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate glidepath during the approach, which resulted in the airplane impacting rocks and dirt at the runway threshold, a separation of the right main landing gear, and a loss of directional control.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Douglas C-118A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3021710), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Douglas C-118A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=3021710), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Douglas C-118A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=3021710), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Douglas C-118A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=3021710), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Douglas C-118A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=3021710), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Douglas C-118A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=3021710), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Douglas C-118A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=3021710), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight crew was landing the transport-category airplane at a remote, gravel-covered runway. According to the captain, the terrain on the approach to the runway sloped down toward the approach end, which positioned the airplane close to terrain during the final stages of the approach. A video recorded by a bystander showed that while the airplane was on short final approach, it flew low on the glidepath and dragged its landing gear through vegetation near the approach end of the runway. The video showed that, just before the main landing gear wheels reached the runway threshold, the right main landing wheel impacted a dirt and rock berm. The captain said that to keep the airplane from veering to the right, he placed the No. 1 and No. 2 engine propellers in reverse pitch. The flight engineer applied asymmetric reverse thrust to help correct for the right turning tendency, and the airplane tracked straight for about 2,000 ft. The video then showed that the right main landing gear assembly separated, and the airplane continued straight down the runway before veering to the right, exiting the runway, and spinning about 180°, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. On-site examination of the runway revealed several 4-ft piles of rocks and dirt at the runway threshold, which is likely what the right main landing wheel impacted. Given that the airplane landing gear struck vegetation and rocks on the approach to the runway, it is likely that they were below the proper glidepath for the approach. The crew stated there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

On August 1, 2019, about 1400 Alaska daylight time, a Douglas C-118A (DC-6A) airplane, N451CE, sustained substantial damage while landing at Candle 2 Airport (AK75), Candle, Alaska. The captain and first officer, both certificated airline transport pilots and the certificated flight engineer were uninjured. The airplane was registered to Tatonduk Outfitters Limited and operated by Everts Air Cargo as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 supplemental air-cargo flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight departed Fairbanks, Alaska about 1140. According to the captain, after overflying AK75, they entered the traffic pattern for landing on Runway 20, a remote, 3,880 ft. long, by 90 ft. wide gravel-covered runway. He added that down sloping terrain at the approach end of Runway 20 positioned the airplane closer to the terrain during the final stages of the approach. He stated that during touchdown near the runway threshold, he felt a bump, and the first officer exclaimed "we caught the right main gear." He said that in an effort to keep the airplane from veering to the right, he placed number 1, and number 2 engines in reverse pitch. In addition, the flight engineer applied asymmetric reverse to correct for the right turning tendency, and the airplane tracked straight for about 2,000 ft. It then veered sharply to the right and spun 180° resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The crew stated there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident inspection of the runway revealed several 4 ft tall piles of rocks and dirt at the threshold of runway 20. A video, recorded by a bystander, captured the accident sequence and revealed that the airplane, while on short final approach, was low on the glide path and dragging its landing gear through vegetation located near the approach end of the runway. The video shows that, just before the main landing gear wheels reached the runway threshold, the right main landing wheel impacted a dirt and rock berm. The right main landing gear assembly separated, and the airplane continued straight down the runway before veering to the right, exiting the runway, and spinning about 180°. A copy of the video is included in the public docket for this accident. Following the accident, the operator implemented several changes that included, but were not limited to, the following: Develop a written short field procedure for the DC-6/C-46 aircraft and include the procedure in the Operations Manual. Develop a short field flight and ground training segment to be included in the Flight Operations Training Manual. Adjust airport risk assessment to account for high-risk/short-field airports, elevating the management alert criteria. Develop a strict policy regarding conduct associated with visual means of glide path calculation/factors. Develop a list of aircrews, to bemaintained by flight control, that have had the appropriate training and may be used for high-risk/short-field airports. The closest weather reporting facility was Buckland Airport (PABL), Buckland, Alaska. At 1356, PABL was reporting, in part: wind 250° at 11 knots, gusting 15 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; few clouds 4,100 ft; temperature 57°F; dew point 39°F; altimeter 30.01 inches mercury.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N451CE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N451CE-2020-02-11), registration cancelled 2020-02-11, S/N 43712, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS C 118A (No Series)
- Registry model: [Douglas C-118A](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-c-118a) (registry code 3021710) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-2800 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-2800-series) (registry code 52026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 43712
- Year built: 1953
- Airframe hours: 42037.3
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CB3 2400 horsepower reciprocating; Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CB3 2400 horsepower reciprocating; Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CB3 2400 horsepower reciprocating; Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CB3 2400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Tatonduk Outfitters Limited
- Registered owner: Tatonduk Outfitters Limited
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 27, 2019
- Departed: PAFA, Faribanks, AK
- Destination: AK75, Buckland, AK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: AK75, Candle 2, runway 20, 3,880 × 90 ft, gravel
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 9,910 total, 147 in the last 90 days, 73 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot; age 64; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 25, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 8,316 total, 69 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours
- Flight engineer; injuries: none; seat: center; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 3,025 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 11 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: PABL

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20190801013109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190801013109A), Aug 1, 2019: Douglas C-118A, Candle, AK, Destroyed. With the PIC at the controls, after overflying RW20 at AK75, the aircraft remained in a normal traffic pattern to land RW20 at 1500' AGL. The aircraft began…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 21, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100050. 4.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482770&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 2, .PDF, 315 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482771&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF
- Photos (item 3, .PDF, 677 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482773&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.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.

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