# Accident 19980312006879A: Cessna A185F, Mcgrath, AK, March 12, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 12, 1998, 14:30 local time
- Place: Mcgrath, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Roll-Out (Fixed Wing)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 63.6107° N, 154.7803° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6107&lon=-154.7803&mi=10
- Aircraft: N21546, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N21546) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna A185F (registry code 2072821, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-520 series (registry code 17032, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Reported engine: CONT IO520D
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 4,000 total, 2,370 in this make and model, 125 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC98LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA029) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980312006879A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

STRUCK TREE LANDING ON FROZEN RIVER. DURING LANDING ROLL. ADDED POWER. SWERED TO AVOID OBSTACLE. STRUCK THE TREE. (.4)THE COMMERCIAL PILOT LANDED HIS WHEEL/SKI EQUIPPED AIRPLANE ON A FROZEN RIVER.  THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER LANDING, HE ADDED POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO LIFT THE TAIL, AND TURN THE AIRPLANE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.  THE AIRPLANE'S SKIS BECAME STUCK IN GROOVES ON THE SNOW, AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST.  THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE ON THE RIVER BANK AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE LEADING EDGE.  WIND CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE REPORTED BY THE PILOT TO BE CALM.                                                    (-23) ON MARCH 12, 1998, CESSNA SKI PLANE, N21546, OPERATED BY MR. GARY CHAMBERLAIN, LANDED ON THE INNOKO RIVER APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES NW OF MCGRATH, ALASKA. AFTER LANDING AND DURING TAXI IN HEAVILY RUTTED SNOW, THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED A TREE WITH THE LEFT WING AND STRUCK THE RIVER BANK WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN AROUND, DAMAGING THE PROPELLER.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC98LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA029), Mar 12, 1998: Cessna 185 (N21546), Mcgrath, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control after landing. Factors associated with the accident are the presence of snow covered terrain, a tree, and the pilot's selection of an unsuitable…

## Other reports on N21546 (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19920307010909I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920307010909I), Mar 7, 1992: Cessna A185F (N21546), Bellingham, WA, Minor damage. Pilot ground looped aircraft on landing rollout.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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