# NTSB ANC08CA041: Cessna 185, N1224F, Takotna, AK, March 5, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 5, 2008, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Takotna, AK
- Coordinates: 63, -156
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.0000&lon=-156.0000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67621
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC08CA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67621/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08CA041

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The commercial certificated pilot was taking off on a short, snow-covered runway in a ski-equipped airplane. He said the day was warm, and as the airplane accelerated down the runway the skis did not release from the snow. He aborted the takeoff, but the airplane slid off the end of the runway and down an embankment. The pilot said the airplane's wings and fuselage were damaged when the airplane left the runway.

## Factual narrative

The commercial certificated pilot was taking off on a short, snow-covered runway in a ski-equipped airplane. He said the day was warm, and as the airplane accelerated down the runway the skis did not release from the snow. He aborted the takeoff, but the airplane slid off the end of the runway and down an embankment. The pilot said the airplane's wings and fuselage were damaged when the airplane left the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1224F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1224F-2017-12-05), registration cancelled 2017-12-05, S/N 18502786, 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 IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18502786
- Airframe hours: 2230
- Engines: Continental IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Clark
- Registered owner: John Clark
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2007
- Departed: TCT, Takotna, AK
- Destination: Anchorage, AK
- Airport: TCT, Takotna, runway 24, 1,717 × 45 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2; last flight review June 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °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 20080305013939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080305013939A), Mar 5, 2008: Cessna A185F, Takotna, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Information from witnesses indicate that the pilot cleared snow off of the airplane. The aircraft taxied to the end of the runway, began the takeoff. The…

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.

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