# NTSB ANC13CA108: Cessna 185, N432X, Mentasta Lake, AK, September 7, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 7, 2013, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Mentasta Lake, AK - Coordinates: 62.738609, -143.003616 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.7386&lon=-143.0036&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 4, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 88544 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC13CA108 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88544/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88544 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA108 ## Probable cause The pilots improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 185, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072802), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 185, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072802), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 185, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072802), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing a tailwheel and tundra tire-equipped airplane at an off-airport site. Just before touchdown he felt the airplane sink, and added power to correct the condition, but the airplane hit hard and bounced. He recovered from the bounce, and brought the airplane to a full stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was landing a tailwheel and tundra tire-equipped airplane at an off-airport site. Just before touchdown he felt the airplane sink, and added power to correct the condition, but the airplane hit hard and bounced. He recovered from the bounce, and brought the airplane to a full stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N432X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N432X-2018-05-14), registration cancelled 2018-05-14, S/N 1850129, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 185 (F) - Registry model: [Cessna 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185) (registry code 2072802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1850129 - Year built: 1961 - Airframe hours: 3849 - Engines: reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Copper Valley Air Service LLC - Registered owner: Copper Valley Air Service LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 2013 - Departed: Mentasta Lake, AK - Destination: Mentasta Lake, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 29, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 1,826 total, 148 in this make and model, 1,740 as pilot in command, 145 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.64 inHg - Observed at: PAGK, 90 nm away ## Other investigations on N432X (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 ANC14CA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA077), Sep 7, 2014: Cessna 185 (N432X), Gakona, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inability to maintain directional control after the airplane's main landing gear tire deflated during takeoff. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 23, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88544. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406982&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.