NTSB Factual Report

On March 1, 2006, about 1800 Alaska standard time, a Douglas DC-3 airplane, N777YA, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with trees on final approach to the Beluga Airport, Beluga, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by Transnorthern Aviation Inc., Anchorage, Alaska, as a visual flight rules (VFR) non-scheduled cargo flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airline transport certificated pilot, and the first officer were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company VFR flight following procedures were in effect. The flight departed the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage, about 1700.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on March 3, an FAA principal operations inspector said he had found an airplane with extensive left wing leading edge damage at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. He said the operator told him the damage occurred while the pilot was landing at the Beluga Airport, on March 1.

During a telephone conversation with the NTSB IIC on March 3, a representative of the operator said the pilot reported striking trees at the approach end of the runway during landing. She said the airplane landed without incident, and the pilot subsequently flew the airplane to Anchorage.

In a written statement to the NTSB dated March 2, the pilot confirmed that the airplane struck treetops on final approach to the Beluga Airport, but landed safely.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from trees on final approach, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees.