# NTSB ANC24LA075: Cessna A185F, N94260, Fairbanks, AK, August 8, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 8, 2024, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK · Remote airstrip - Coordinates: 65.733333, -148.28333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.7333&lon=-148.2833&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: 3 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): 194913 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194913/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194913 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA075 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing at a short remote airstrip. ## 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 · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 69 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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) - [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) ## 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) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while landing at a short remote airstrip, the airplane touched down and veered left. The pilot attempted to correct with opposite rudder and brake; however, the airplane exited the left side of the airstrip into heavy vegetation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N94260](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N94260), registered now, S/N 18503296, built 1977 (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: 18503296 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 5491.8 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 135 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 30, 2024, 60 hours before - Departed: PAFA, Fairbanks, AK - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 17, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 900 total, 170 in this make and model, 750 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: PAFA, 40 nm away - METAR: PAFA 082253Z 25006KT 10SM FEW018 SCT075 BKN090 OVC140 19/14 A2979 RMK AO2 RAE48 SLP091 P0000 T01940144 $ ## 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 20240808009939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240808009939A), Aug 8, 2024: Cessna A185F, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot landed on an unimproved Airstrip. The pilot stated he conducted a 3 point landing at 50 mph. The aircraft veered left then hit a bump on the runway. He… ## Other investigations on N94260 (1) 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 ANC07CA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07CA097), Sep 11, 2007: Cessna 185 (N94260), McGrath, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area which resulted in an overrun and collision with a gravel berm during an aborted takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were his delay in… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 8, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194913. 11.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 9.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17508616&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA075%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18494328&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA075%20photos-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.