# NTSB ANC13CA020: Cessna A185E, N4538F, Skwentna, AK, January 5, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 5, 2013, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Skwentna, AK - Coordinates: 62.516666, -151.483337 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.5167&lon=-151.4833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 3, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO-03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 86061 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC13CA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86061/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86061 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA020 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a main landing gear collapse. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure; cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md) - [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) - [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md) - [Light condition: flat light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: 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) - [Taxi: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the wheel/ski-equipped airplane landed on a remote, frozen, snow-covered lake. While taxiing to park, the right wheel/ski struck an area of ice overflow that was covered by snow. During the collision, the axle bolts on the right wheel/ski broke, which pivoted the airplane to the right, and the right wing struck the snow-covered ice. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In a written statement, the pilot reported that flat light conditions on the snow-covered lake contributed to his inability to see the ice overflow. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the wheel/ski-equipped airplane landed on a remote frozen snow-covered lake. While taxiing to parking, the right wheel/ski struck an area of ice overflow that was covered by snow. During the collision, the axle bolts on the right wheel/ski broke, which pivoted the airplane to the right, and the right wing struck the snow-covered ice. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. Other than the broken axle bolts, the pilot reported no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. In his written statement to the NTSB, the pilot reported that flat light conditions on the snow-covered lake contributed to his inability to see the ice overflow. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4538F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4538F), registered now, S/N 185-1025, built 1966 (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: 185-1025 - Airframe hours: 3316 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William A Barnes - Registered owner: William A Barnes - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 2012 - Departed: MRI, Anchorage, AK - Destination: Skwentna, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 28, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 1,700 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 1,490 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast ## 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 20130105000789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130105000789A), Jan 5, 2013: Cessna A185E, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. During taxi after landing on a frozen lake, the right ski hit overflow ice and the right stub axle bolts broke. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 7, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86061. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385710&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.