# NTSB ANC00LA103: Cessna 185, N1205F, Kaktovik, AK, August 17, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 2000, 22:30 local (Aug 17, 2000, 06:30 UTC) - Place: Kaktovik, AK - Coordinates: 70.119514, -143.660964 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=70.1195&lon=-143.6610&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 50982 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50982/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA103 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area on the airstrip. Factors associated with this accident were the rough takeoff area, and the pilot's loss of directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The pilot stated he began the takeoff roll, and the airplane hit a rut in the 2,000 feet long by 50 feet wide gravel airstrip. He stated the airplane swerved to the left, departed the edge of the airstrip, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, and the vertical stabilizer. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 2000, about 2230 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N1205F, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during takeoff from the Bar-A airstrip, about 30 miles east of Kaktovik, Alaska, at 69 degrees, 52.979 minutes north latitude, 142 degrees, 18.592 minutes west longitude. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. The flight was being conducted by North Quest Aviation of Fairbanks, Alaska, under 14 CFR Part 91, as a repositioning leg after dropping off hunting clients. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a company VFR flight plan was filed. During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on August 17, the pilot stated he began the takeoff roll, and the airplane hit a rut in the 2,000 feet long by 50 feet wide gravel airstrip. He stated the airplane swerved to the left, departed the edge of the airstrip, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot did not complete an NTSB accident report form as requested. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1205F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1205F-2012-07-16), registration cancelled 2012-07-16, S/N 18502768, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185 - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18502768 - Engines: Continental IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: William E. Anker - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Destination: BTI, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: Bar-A Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,900 total, 300 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000817014389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000817014389A), Aug 17, 2000: Cessna A185F, Kaktovik, AK, No damage. (-23) On soft field takeoff pilot lost directional control, set wing flaps ti improper setting for takeoff. ## Other investigations on N1205F (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. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.