# NTSB ANC21LA050: Cessna A185F, N8216J, Dillingham, AK, June 28, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 27, 2021, 17:00 local (Jun 28, 2021, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Dillingham, AK
- Coordinates: 59.88313, -157.76075
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8831&lon=-157.7608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 103416
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103416/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103416
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA050

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.

## 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 A185F, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [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)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); 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.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, just after takeoff from the narrow brush lined airstrip, he encountered a wind gust which pushed the airplane to the left. The left wing struck the brush and the airplane spun around and impacted terrain sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8216J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8216J), registered now, S/N 18502864, built 1976 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18502864
- Year built: 1976
- Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 2021
- Destination: Portage Creek, AK
- Airport: AK21, Nushagak, runway 16/34, 1,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 7, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,907 total, 1,267 in this make and model, 1,826 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observed at: PAJZ, 17 nm away
- METAR: PAJZ 280056Z AUTO 17003KT 6SM HZ OVC037 14/08 A3023 RMK AO2 SLP243 T01390078 PNO $

## 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 20210627010989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210627010989A), Jun 27, 2021: Cessna A185F, Dillingham, AK, Substantial damage. Description: Aircraft was hit with a crosswind gust on climbout and ended up in bushes on the side of the runway. Causal & contributing factors: Unexpected…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 12, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103416. 2.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12503511&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo (source unknown) (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12481720&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.

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