# NTSB ANC13CA005: Cessna A185E, N1694M, Talkeetna, AK, October 22, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 21, 2012, 18:15 local (Oct 22, 2012, 02:15 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 62.320556, -150.093612 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.3206&lon=-150.0936&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA Anchorage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85442 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC13CA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85442/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85442 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA005 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a ground loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the approach, the pilot decided to land the tundra-tire-equipped airplane on a sloped, grassy area adjacent to the taxiway because of snow on the area where he initially intended to land. After touchdown, the airplane began to follow the slope, and the pilot applied the uphill brake. The airplane subsequently entered a ground loop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative During the landing approach, the pilot decided to land the tundra-tire equipped airplane on a slopped, grassy area adjacent to the taxiway due to snow on his initially intended landing area. After touchdown, the airplane began to follow the slope, and the pilot applied the uphill brake, which resulted in a ground loop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1694M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1694M), registered now, S/N 18501879 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185E - Registry model: [Cessna A185E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (registry code 2072818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18501879 - Airframe hours: 8730 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Talkeetna Air Taxi Inc - Registered owner: Talkeetna Air Taxi Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, August 24, 2012, 7 hours before - Departed: PATK, Talkeetna, AK - Destination: PATK, Talkeetna, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: PATK, Talkeetna Airport, runway 18, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 20, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 18,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: PATK ## 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 20121021023479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121021023479A), Oct 21, 2012: Cessna A185E, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. The flight was on an FAA flight plan. The flight departed Talkeetna for a local scenic flight with three passengers on board at 1715 adt. The flight was… ## Other investigations on N1694M (3) 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 ANC22LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA037), May 27, 2022: Cessna A185E (N1694M), Willow, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing which resulted in a nose over. - [NTSB ANC15LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15LA033), Jun 1, 2015: Cessna 185 (N1694M), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The other pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout, which resulted in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was the other pilot’s failure to follow Federal Aviation… - [NTSB ANC76AA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76AA127), Aug 28, 1976: Cessna 185E (N1694M), Wainwright, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 30, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85442. 657 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 657 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40382200&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.