# Accident 20180412003579A: Cessna A185F, Sterling, AK, April 12, 2018

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 12, 2018, 08:00 local time
- Place: Sterling, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 60.5397° N, 150.8697° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5397&lon=-150.8697&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8702Z, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8702Z) (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 MOTOR IO 520 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,200 total, 208 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA18CA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA211) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180412003579A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT STATED HE DEPARTED SOLDOTNA AIRPORT AT 7:45 AM TO FLY 6 NAUTICAL MILES TO 88AK, STERLING AIRPORT (DUTCH LANDING STRIP) ARRIVING APPROXIMATELY 8 AM.  WEATHER REPORTED AT SOLDOTNA WAS CLEAR, VISIBILITY 10 SM, TEMPERATURE AT 4 DEG C WITH WINDS 360 AT 3 KTS.  FLYING TOWARD THE EAST, THE PILOT WAS ON SHORT FINAL FOR RUNWAY 7.  THE PILOT DRIFTED TOWARD THE NORTH SIDE OF THE RUNWAY DUE TO SUN GLARE EFFECT, CLIPPED TREES ONCE AND THEN IMPACTED TREES A SECOND TIME.  THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE; HOWEVER, THE PILOT WAS UNHARMED.  HE FURTHER STATED HE IMMEDIATELY MOVED THE MIXTURE CONTROL TO IDLE CUTOFF POSITION, TURNED OFF THE MASTER SWITCH AND THE MAGNETOS, AND EXITED THE AIRCRAFT.  HE THEN NOTIFIED THE NTSB OF THE ACCIDENT.

THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT IS THE PILOT?S LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL WHILE ON SHORT FINAL AND IMPACTING TREES. THE SUN GLARE CONTRIBUTED TO THE PILOT?S INABILITY TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT AND THE PILOT?S DECISION TO CONTINUE WITH THE LANDING AND NOT TO PERFORM A GO-AROUND PROCEDURE.

FAA CORRECTIVE ACTION FOR THE PILOT INCLUDED COUNSELING REGARDING GO-AROUND PROCEDURES VIA PHONE CONVERSATIONS AND EMAIL. SEE PTRS AER AL05 201800901.  NTSB GAA18CA211.

## 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 GAA18CA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA211), Apr 12, 2018: Cessna A185 (N8702Z), Sterling, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during the approach to land due to the sun glare.

## Other reports on N8702Z (3)

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

- [Accident 20040207001349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040207001349A), Feb 7, 2004: Cessna A185F (N8702Z), Fowler, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Mr. David redway was acting as pilot in command and the only occupant of a Cessna 185 which he owned, departed sunset sky ranch (se of sacramento, CA) at…
- [Incident 19930906033609I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930906033609I), Sep 6, 1993: Cessna A185F (N8702Z), Aniak, AK, Minor damage. Engine quit in flight. Forced landing in small body of water. Hit bank. Aircraft removed by helicopter.
- [Incident 19860921072929I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860921072929I), Sep 21, 1986: Cessna A185F (N8702Z), Caribou Lake, AK, Minor damage. Crosswind gusts caused aircraft to dig in a float at liftoff. Aircraft cartwheeled and sank. Excessive crosswind.

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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