Sun, Aug 18, 2019
Runway Threshold Interference May Have Figured in Accident
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 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 when the accident occurred. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The airline transport pilot certificated captain, airline transport pilot certificated first officer, and certificated flight engineer were not injured. The flight departed Fairbanks, Alaska about 1140.
According to the captain, after overflying AK75 they entered the traffic pattern to land on runway 20. He stated that the approach was steeper than normal due to terrain; however, the sight picture indicated touchdown near the threshold of the 3,880 ft runway. A bump was felt near the threshold during the landing but was not extreme. The airplane's propellers were then put into reverse and the airplane veered to the right. The flight engineer applied asymmetric reverse, in an effort, to correct for the right turning tendency, and the airplane tracked straight for about 2,000 ft before it veered sharply to the right, exited the runway and spun 180°. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. An inspection of the threshold of runway 20 revealed several 4 ft tall piles of rocks and dirt.
The pilot stated there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
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.
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