ANC95LA040

The pilot, the sole occupant, was completing a cargo flight to a remote airstrip. The wind conditions varied from almost calm to gusts of about 25 knots. During the landing flare, the airplane suddenly dropped to the runway, landing on the main landing gear and tail. The pilot, who holds a mechanic certificate, inspected the airplane and noted that the tail skid was bent upward. After inspection, the pilot decided to depart for the company base. An inspection revealed that the tail was bent upward with wrinkling of the upper empennage surface, just aft of the cabin.

On March 29, 1995, about 0950 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 206, N756TA, experienced a hard landing at the Chevak Airport, Chevak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cargo flight to Chevak under Title 14 CFR Part 135 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Arctic Circle Air, Anchorage, Alaska, received substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Company VFR flight plan procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska, about 0851.

The operator reported that the pilot was landing on runway 32 and noted that the wind conditions varied from almost calm, to gusts of about 25 knots. During the landing flare, the airplane suddenly dropped to the runway, landing on the main landing gear and tail. The pilot noted that the tail skid was bent upwards; however, after examination, departed for the return flight to Bethel. The pilot holds a mechanic certificate with airframe and powerplant ratings.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), and the operator's director of maintenance examined the airplane. They reported that the tail of the airplane was bent upward with wrinkling of the upper empennage surface, just aft of the cabin. The structural stringers were also bent.