# NTSB ANC25LA096: Cessna A185F, N9BB, Haines, AK, August 18, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 18, 2025, 15:59 local (23:59 UTC) - Place: Haines, AK - Coordinates: 59.200965, -135.28274 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.2010&lon=-135.2827&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 23, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 200872 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200872/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200872 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA096 ## Probable cause The pilot’s selection of an unsuitable landing area resulting in an on-ground collision with an obscured log and a main landing gear separation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: hidden/submerged object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Fuselage: gear attach fittings (on fus)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035343): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035343/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035343/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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane in an area of tidal, grass-covered terrain. After touchdown, during the landing rollout, the left main landing gear wheel struck a large log that was obscured by the tall grass, which resulted in the left main landing gear separation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left main landing gear attachment point (gearbox assembly). The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9BB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9BB-2025-09-25), registration cancelled 2025-09-25, S/N 18503356 (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: 18503356 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 3500 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rubber Chicken Airlines LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PAJN, Juneau, AK - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 11,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: AHN, 7 nm away - METAR: PAHN 182354Z AUTO 13006KT 10SM FEW015 SCT021 OVC065 14/11 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP149 60003 T01390106 10139 20122 57002 TSNO ## 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 20250818010569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250818010569A), Aug 18, 2025: Cessna A185F, Haines, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he landed onto a known grass strip and then drifted during the rollout into tall grass. The airplane ran over a log that was obscured in the… ## Other investigations on N9BB (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 WPR21LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA181), May 2, 2021: Cessna A185F (N9BB), Driggs, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing with gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 23, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200872. 4.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19409369&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N9BB%20NTSB%20Report%20Haines%20AK%202025_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19409708&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-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.