# NTSB ANC21LA045: Cessna A185F, N85DT, Chandalar Lake, AK, June 6, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 5, 2021, 21:30 local (Jun 6, 2021, 05:30 UTC) - Place: Chandalar Lake, AK · PALR - Coordinates: 67.50296, -148.4935 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.5030&lon=-148.4935&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 103253 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103253/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA045 ## Probable cause The pilot’s over application of the brakes, which resulted in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: 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 of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing after the tail had settled, he applied the brakes too hard. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to left wing, right wing lift strut, and empennage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. As a recommendation, the pilot added that he should not have applied the brakes as hard. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N85DT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85DT), registered now, S/N 18503474, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520-D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-d) (registry code 17236, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18503474 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 5050 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-520-D 139B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Coyote Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 2021 - Departed: MTF, Fairbanks, AK - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: WCR, Chandalar Lake, runway 03/21, 3,000 × 60 ft, gravel - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 213 total, 72 in this make and model, 104 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg - Observed at: PFYU, 94 nm away - METAR: PFYU 060456Z AUTO VRB04KT 10SM CLR 19/04 A2972 RMK AO2 SLP070 T01940039 ## 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 20210605006779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210605006779A), Jun 5, 2021: Cessna A185F, Coldfoot, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he arrived at Chandalar Lake after departing fairbanks. He checked runway conditions and the direction of the windsock. He checked airspeed vs.… 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.