Aviat A-1B N460JC

Summary

On 13 July 2023 at about 23:30 local time, a Aviat A-1B registered N460JC was involved in an accident near Matanuska Glacier, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 July 2023 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Matanuska Glacier, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Scandinavian Peaks Hut Airstri

Coordinates

61.5894, -147.4783

Aircraft

Aviat A-1B

Registration

N460JC

Category

Airplane

Year built

2006

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Anchorage → Anchorage

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC23LA050

Nobody was injured.

The airplane’s encounter with downdrafts resulting in decreased performance insufficient to outclimb rising terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported he encountered downdrafts during landing on a remote gravel airstrip near a glacial base camp known for downdrafts and mountain rotors. He elected to depart the airstrip into rising terrain due to more favorable winds. During initial climb out the pilot reported the airplane encountered more downdrafts than expected. Unable to outclimb rising terrain, the pilot performed a forced landing in an area of rough, rock-covered terrain, and during landing the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.