ANC19LA049

The operator reported that, after an uneventful ski landing on a snow-covered glacier, the airplane taxied over some ruts and the pilot heard a "bang" on the right side of the airplane. After gliding to a stop, the pilot noticed the right wing was about 2 ft lower than normal. The pilot inspected the airplane and found that the right outboard landing gear bracket had fractured, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The outboard landing gear bracket was not made available to the NTSB for inspection; therefore, the reason for the bracket's failure could not be determined.

On July 17, 2019, at about 1445 Alaska daylight time, a wheel/ski-equipped Cessna A185 airplane, N121EE, sustained substantial damage while taxiing, after landing on the Ruth Glacier, about 50 miles northwest of Talkeetna, Alaska. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Sheldon Air Service as a visual flight rules on-demand sightseeing flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. The certificated commercial pilot and four passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an FAA flight plan had been filed. The flight departed Talkeetna Airport (PATK), Talkeetna, Alaska about 1415. According to the operator, the sightseeing flight included a landing at the Don Sheldon Mountain House, located in the Don Sheldon Amphitheater. The operator reported that, after an uneventful ski landing on the Ruth Glacier, the airplane taxied over some ruts when the pilot heard a "bang" on the right side of the airplane. After gliding to a stop, the pilot noticed the right wing was about 2 feet lower than normal. An inspection by the pilot, revealed that the right outboard landing gear bracket had fractured, which constituted substantial damage to the fuselage. The outboard landing gear bracket was not available to the NTSB for inspection. The closest weather reporting facility is Talkeetna Airport, (PATK), Talkeetna, Alaska. At 1453, a METAR from PATK was reporting in part: wind, variable at 4 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; sky condition, clear; temperature, 75° F; dew point 48° F; and an altimeter setting of 29.58 inches of mercury.