N456TA

On July 1, 1998, about 1545 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 206G airplane, N456TA, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Aleknagik Airstrip, Aleknagik, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane is registered to, and operated by, Arctic Circle Air, Inc. The certificated commercial pilot, and the one passenger aboard were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Dillingham Airport, Dillingham, Alaska, about 1530.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, on July 1, 1998, the pilot reported that while landing to the west, he inadvertently flew further down the runway and landed about midfield of the 1,150 feet long runway. He stated that after touchdown he was unable to stop the airplane before it went down an embankment at the end of the runway, and nosed over.

In his written statement to the NTSB dated September 1, 1998, the pilot reported that while landing to the west, he encountered an unexpected "wind change" from the east. He said that the tailwind caused the airplane's ground speed to accelerate, and after touchdown, he was unable to stop prior to reaching the runway end.

The airplane's left wing sustained substantial damage.

The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.