# NTSB ANC23LA026: Cessna A185F, N9697Q, Homer, AK, March 7, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 6, 2023, 17:00 local (Mar 7, 2023, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Homer, AK - Coordinates: 59.642988, -151.48437 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.6430&lon=-151.4844&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - 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): 106908 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC23LA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106908/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106908 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA026 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: heading/course](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/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-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing roll on a dry, paved runway, the airplane veered to the right. The pilot was unable to correct, and the airplane ground looped, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing, left aileron and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9697Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9697Q), registered now, S/N 18503788, built 1979 (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: 18503788 - Year built: 1979 - Engines: Continental IO-520 D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2022 - Departed: EDF, Anchorage, AK - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: HOM, Homer Airport, runway 22, 6,701 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 10, 2022; seat: left; flight hours: 410 total, 150 in this make and model, 360 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: PAHO - METAR: PAHO 070153Z 25006KT 10SM CLR 02/M03 A3031 RMK AO2 SLP267 T00171028 ## 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 20230306001619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230306001619A), Mar 6, 2023: Cessna A185F, Homer, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot made an approach for rwy 22. Reported wind was 6 knots at 210 degrees. Pilot executed a 2 wheel landing and upon tail touching down and braking was… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 27, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106908. 6.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15301608&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA026%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15302887&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA026%20Investigative%20Photographs-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. --- 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.