# NTSB ANC12CA010: Cessna A185F, N121EE, Talkeetna, AK, November 23, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 23, 2011, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 62.970108, -156.079956 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.9701&lon=-156.0800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 8, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 82436 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12CA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82436/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82436 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA010 ## Probable cause A broken wheel/ski clevis pin, which allowed the ski to pivot upward and strike the right wing lift strut. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: wheel/ski/float](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after departing from a snow-covered glacier in a wheel/ski-equipped airplane, he retracted the skis in preparation for landing on a paved runway. During the retraction, the right wheel/ski pivoted up, striking the airplane's right wing lift strut, which sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination revealed that the ski's right rear clevis pin had broken, which allowed the ski to pivot upward. Other than the broken clevis pin, there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after departing from a snow-covered glacier in a tailwheel and wheel/ski-equipped airplane, he retracted the skis in preparation for landing on a paved runway. During the retraction, the right wheel/ski pivoted up, striking the airplane's right wing lift strut. Inspection revealed that the ski's right rear clevis pin had broken, which allowed the ski to pivot upwards. The right wing lift strut sustained substantial damage, which required replacement. Other than the broken clevis pin, the pilot indicated there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N121EE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N121EE), registered now, S/N 18503765, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F - 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: 18503765 - Airframe hours: 10061 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Sheldon Air Service - Registered owner: David J. Lee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 24, 2011, 50 hours before - Departed: Talkeetna, AK - Destination: PATK, Talkeetna, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 12,400 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 12,300 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 10 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 16 °F - Observed at: PATK, 4 nm away ## Other investigations on N121EE (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 ANC19LA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19LA049), Jul 17, 2019: Cessna A185 (N121EE), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: A fracture of the right outboard landing gear bracket for undetermined reasons. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82436. 435 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 435 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361818&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.