# NTSB ANC13CA082: Cessna 185, N185SN, Sleetmute, AK, August 16, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 15, 2013, 16:40 local (Aug 16, 2013, 00:40 UTC) - Place: Sleetmute, AK - Coordinates: 61.700279, -159.165832 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7003&lon=-159.1658&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 December 2, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 87849 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC13CA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87849/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87849 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA082 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 185, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072802), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 185, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072802), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 185, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072802), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing roll in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, everything was normal until the tailwheel touched the ground and the airplane began to veer to the right. Despite the pilot's control inputs, the airplane continued to veer to the right, exited the runway, and came to rest upright. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that the fuselage gear box was structurally damaged. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing roll in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, everything was normal until the tailwheel touched the ground and the airplane began to veer to the right. Despite the pilot's control inputs, the airplane continued to veer to the right, exited the runway, and came to rest upright. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that the fuselage gear box was structurally damaged. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N185SN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N185SN), registered now, S/N 185-01943, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 185 - Registry model: [Cessna 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185) (registry code 2072802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 185-01943 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: David Henley - Registered owner: Alaskan Adventures Restoration Thru Recreation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 2013 - Departed: Sleetmute, AK - Destination: Sleetmute, AK - Airport: runway 28, 2,400 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 29, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 22,000 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 18,500 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: PASL, 13 nm away ## 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 20130815018749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130815018749A), Aug 15, 2013: Cessna 185, Sleetmute, AK, Substantial damage. As the aircraft touched down at the Alaska adventures lodge runway located approximantly 16 miles south of Sleetmute, Alaska, the pilot reported everything… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 20, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87849. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399842&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.