# NTSB ANC26LA023: Wag Aero Sportsman, N212PX, Cordova, AK, March 30, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 30, 2026, 14:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Cordova, AK - Coordinates: 60.543384, -145.73078 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5434&lon=-145.7308&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 11, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 202728 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC26LA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202728/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202728 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA023 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to land on an unsuitable snow-covered runway and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll which resulted in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Marcil Gerry SPORTSMAN 2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=05628JP), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Marcil Gerry SPORTSMAN 2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05628JP), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Marcil Gerry SPORTSMAN 2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05628JP), [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 roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Marcil Gerry SPORTSMAN 2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05628JP), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing roll on a snow-covered runway in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the main landing gear wheels encountered soft snow and the airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the rudder, wings, wing struts, and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N212PX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N212PX), registered now, S/N 1133, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WAG AERO SPORTSMAN (2 PLUS 2) - Registry model: [Marcil Gerry SPORTSMAN 2+2](https://openairdocs.org/model/marcil-gerry-sportsman-2-plus-2) (registry code 05628JP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b) (registry code 41819, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1133 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 687.3 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 6, 2025, 28.4 hours before - Departed: VDZ, Valdez, AK - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: CKU, Cordova Municipal Airport, runway 24, 1,800 × 60 ft, snow - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 14, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 91.4 total, 23 in this make and model, 36.4 as pilot in command, 2.6 in the last 90 days, 1.2 in the last 30 days, 1.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: PACV, 9 nm away - METAR: METAR PACV 300953Z 00000KT 10SM CLR M08/M10 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP179 T10831100 ## 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 20260330003289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260330003289A), Mar 30, 2026: Marcil Gerry SPORTSMAN 2+2, Cordova, AK, Substantial damage. At the beginning of runway 24, the pilot touched down 2 points and pressed the tires into the ground. He observed 2-3 inches of soft snow and the ground firm… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 11, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202728. 6.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20182732&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC26LA023%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20187392&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-Rel.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.