# Accident 19980403005449A: Cessna A185F, Coldfoot, AK, April 3, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 3, 1998, 19:00 local time
- Place: Coldfoot, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Ground Taxi, Other Airplane
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: NQ7C
- Location: 64.8102° N, 147.7206° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8102&lon=-147.7206&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1205F, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1205F-2012-07-16) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna A185F (registry code 2072821, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental TSIO-520 series (registry code 17040, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Reported engine: CONT IO520D
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 971 total, 146 in this make and model, 138 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC98LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA034) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980403005449A

## Narrative

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

(.4)THE PILOT, AND TWO PASSENGERS, WERE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF IN A WHEEL/SKI EQUIPPED, TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE. THE FLIGHT WAS A VFR AIR TAXI FLIGHT FROM A REMOTE LAKE.  THE LANDING/DEPARTURE AREA WAS ABOUT 3,500 FEET LONG, AND COVERED BY SOFT SNOW.  AS THE PILOT BEGAN TO TAXI, HE NOTICED THE SNOW WAS SOFTER THAN ANTICIPATED, SO HE BEGAN SEVERAL TAXI RUNS TO PACK DOWN THE SNOW FOR TAKEOFF.  DURING A TURN, THE RIGHT SKI ENCOUNTERED SOFT SNOW AND SANK.  THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE SNOW, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.  THE AIRPLANE RECEIVED DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT WING, AND PROPELLER.                          (-23)THE AIRCRAFT  WHILE TAXING DIPPED INTO ICE BELOW SNOW AND WITH POWER BEING APPLIED INVERTED THE AIRCRAFT.

## 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 ANC98LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA034), Apr 3, 1998: Cessna 185F (N1205F), Coldfoot, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff. Soft, snow covered terrain was a factor in the accident.

## Other reports on N1205F (1)

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

- [Accident 20000817014389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000817014389A), Aug 17, 2000: Cessna A185F (N1205F), Kaktovik, AK, No damage. (-23) On soft field takeoff pilot lost directional control, set wing flaps ti improper setting for takeoff.

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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