# NTSB ANC23LA059: Cessna 185, N9855X, Iliamna, AK, August 4, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 4, 2023, 10:01 local (18:01 UTC) - Place: Iliamna, AK · Tundra - Coordinates: 59.20667, -154.96895 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.2067&lon=-154.9690&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: 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): 192804 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC23LA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192804/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192804 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA059 ## Probable cause The passenger’s inadvertent application of brakes during landing that resulted in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Knowledge: knowledge of equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 185, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015/cases.md?model=2072802), [All aircraft, 69 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015/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: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 185, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072802), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that before landing at a remote tundra airstrip, he put his heels on the floor with his toes off the brake portion of the rudder pedals. Shortly after touching down, the front seat passenger inadvertently applied pressure to the brake pedals, and the airplane suddenly and violently nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, vertical stabilizer, rudder and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation, nor did he brief his passenger on the risk of interfering with the brake pedals. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9855X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9855X), registered now, S/N 1850055, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 185 - Registry model: [Cessna 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185) (registry code 2072802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1850055 - Year built: 1961 - Airframe hours: 12158.8 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 11, 2023, 75.2 hours before - Departed: PAKN, King Salmon, AK - Destination: PFKK, Kokhanok, AK - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 6, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,064 total, 460 in this make and model, 981 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 12 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft overcast - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: PAKN, 49 nm away - METAR: PAKN 041754Z 15012G19KT 10SM OVC048 15/08 A3012 RMK AO2 SLP201 T01500083 10150 20128 55001 ## Other investigations on N9855X (3) 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. - [NTSB ANC98LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA067), Jun 9, 1998: Cessna 185 (N9855X), Chickaloon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent activation of the fuel boost pump selector switch during final approach, which resulted in an overly rich mixture and subsequent loss of engine power. - [NTSB ANC97LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA110), Jul 23, 1997: Cessna 185 (N9855X), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilots failure to maintain terrain clearance during the downslope, downwind, high altitude, takeoff. Factors were the snow and lighting conditions, and the tailwind takeoff. - [NTSB ANC80DA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC80DA074), Jul 18, 1980: Cessna 185 (N9855X), Collinsville, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 15, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192804. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16165531&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA059%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 996 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16165091&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA059%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.