# NTSB ANC13CA028: Cessna 185B, N2550Z, Flat, AK, March 5, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 5, 2013, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Flat, AK - Coordinates: 62.543609, -158.097229 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.5436&lon=-158.0972&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 24, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO-03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 86359 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC13CA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86359/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86359 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA028 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusting, variable wind conditions during initial climb after takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 185B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=2072806), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/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 185B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072806), [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 · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 185B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=2072806), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 185B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=2072806), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 185B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072806), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 185B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=2072806), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 185B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072806), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, just after takeoff from the soft, snow-covered, frozen lake and while making a slight left turn, the airplane’s performance degraded and she could not maintain altitude. Subsequently, the airplane descended at the departure end of the lake, impacted snow-covered terrain, nosed over, and sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot described the wind conditions at the time of the accident as gusts to 20 knots and variable. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical problems or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The airline transport pilot was departing in a wheel/ski-equipped airplane, in support of a sled dog race, with one passenger and cargo aboard. The pilot described wind conditions at the time of the accident as gusts to 20 knots, and that the direction was variable. She reported that just after takeoff from the soft, snow-covered frozen lake, and while making a slight left turn, the airplane descended at the departure end of the site, subsequently impacting snow-covered terrain. As a result, the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. There were no reported mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, the estimated gross weight of the airplane at takeoff was 3,000 pounds, or approximately 250 pounds below the maximum takeoff gross weight of 3,250 pounds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2550Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2550Z-2019-01-14), registration cancelled 2019-01-14, S/N 185-0550, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 185B - Registry model: [Cessna 185B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185b) (registry code 2072806) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520-D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-d) (registry code 17236, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 185-0550 - Airframe hours: 5100 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Moroney Bruce J - Registered owner: Moroney Bruce J - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 3, 2013 - Departed: Flat, AK - Destination: Iditarod, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 21, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 12,700 total, 700 in this make and model, 8,500 as pilot in command, 235 in the last 90 days, 84 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 20 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Temperature: 43 °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 20130305003269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130305003269A), Mar 5, 2013: Cessna 185B, Iditarod, AK, Substantial damage. The airman over flew the Airstrip prior to landing, stayed on the ground for at least an hour and evaluated the Airstrip conditions and squirrely winds. Prior… ## Other investigations on N2550Z (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 ANC90LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA145), Aug 15, 1990: Cessna 185B (N2550Z), Mcgrath, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE LEFT INSIDE WHEEL BEARING, FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. - [NTSB ANC76DAG91](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAG91), Jan 26, 1976: Cessna 185 (N2550Z), Nondalton, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC73DAG01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC73DAG01), Jul 2, 1972: Cessna 185B (N2550Z), Iliamna, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 18, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86359. 139 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389727&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.