# NTSB ANC06CA008: Cessna 185, N3308S, Skwentna, AK, October 24, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 23, 2005, 16:30 local (Oct 24, 2005, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Skwentna, AK - Coordinates: 61.95, -151.183334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9500&lon=-151.1833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Anchorage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62923 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC06CA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62923/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA008 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable taxi area, which resulted in an encounter with a hidden obstruction, and an on-ground collision with trees while taxiing to takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were trees and a hidden obstruction. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The commercial certificated pilot was taxiing a ski-equipped airplane on snow covered terrain in preparation for takeoff on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, cross-country personal flight. The pilot indicated that while taxiing to the end of the off airport site, the left ski struck a buried object in the snow, and the airplane veered to the left. The airplane's left wing subsequently struck a stand of trees, and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The commercial certificated pilot was taxiing a ski-equipped airplane on snow covered terrain in preparation for takeoff on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, cross-country personal flight. The pilot indicated that while taxiing to the end of the off airport site, the left ski struck a buried object in the snow, and the airplane veered to the left. The airplane's left wing subsequently struck a stand of trees, and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3308S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3308S), registered now, S/N 18502267, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185 - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18502267 - Airframe hours: 3702 - Engines: Continental IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Donald E. Glaser - Registered owner: Arctic Wings - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2005, 30 hours before - Departed: Skwentna, AK - Destination: UUO, Willow, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 49,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 48,800 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 37 °F ## 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 20051023029179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051023029179A), Oct 23, 2005: Cessna A185F, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) While taxiing for takeoff in 18 inches of powder snow, the left ski struck an unknown object beneath the snow and jerked the aircraft to the left… ## Other investigations on N3308S (2) 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 ANC25LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA057), May 21, 2025: Cessna A185F (N3308S), Trapper Creek, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper flare while landing on glassy water, which resulted in a hard landing. - [NTSB LAX82DUJ05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DUJ05), Nov 7, 1981: Cessna A185F (N3308S), Prescott, AZ, substantial damage 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.