# NTSB ANC16CA036: Cessna A185F, N3969Q, King Salmon, AK, June 29, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 29, 2016, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: King Salmon, AK - Coordinates: 58.67889, -156.649444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.6789&lon=-156.6494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO AL03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 93500 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC16CA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93500/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93500 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC16CA036 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while landing in gusty wind conditions, resulting in a noseover. ## 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 A185F, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 75 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that upon touchdown on runway 12, the left quartering headwind switched to a direct crosswind forcing the nose of the airplane to the left. The right wing contacted the runway surface and the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the empennage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. Wind at the time of the accident was reported to be from 070 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 22 knots. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that upon touchdown on runway 12, the left quartering headwind switched to a direct crosswind forcing the nose of the airplane to the left. The right wing contacted the runway surface and the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the empennage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. Wind at the time of the accident was reported to be from 070 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 22 knots. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3969Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3969Q), registered now, S/N 18502216, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F (F) - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18502216 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 9101 - Engines: Continental IO520/D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 2016, 10 hours before - Departed: AKN, King Salmon, AK - Destination: AKN, King Salmon, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: AKN, King Salmon, runway 12, 8,901 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 23, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6,650 total, 675 in this make and model, 6,290 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 13 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: PAKN ## 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 20160629022399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160629022399A), Jun 29, 2016: Cessna A185F, King Salmon, AK, Substantial damage. NWS ASOS reporting winds 100 @ 13 G24 2154Z (1354L), 100 @ 19 G20 PK29 2254Z (1454L). Pilot wrote that akn ATIS reported winds 080 @ 15 G24, upon clearance to… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93500. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 751 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445666&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Airport Manager Statement (item 2, .PDF, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445667&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Manager%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Onscene Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445668&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Onscene%20Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Photograph (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 431 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445669&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.