# NTSB ANC85LA007: Cessna A185E, N70018, Shulin Lake, AK, October 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1984, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Shulin Lake, AK
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4437
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4437/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA007

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear retraction - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels down landing in water - performed, pilot in command
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING A WATER LANDING. THIS ACFT HAD WHEELS IN THE FLOATS AND ONE OF THE WHEELS WAS NOT RETRACTED FOR THE WATER LANDING. THESE GEAR ARE HAND RETRACTED BY THE PLT. THE PLT SAID HE CHECKED VISUALLY TO INSURE THE LEFT GEAR WAS UP BUT DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE RIGHT. TO DO SO ONE MUST UNDO SAFETY BELT AND LOOK OUT THE RIGHT SIDE. GEAR INDICATORS UNRELIABLE IF LANDINGS MADE IN SALT WATER. A MIRROR IS PROVIDED BUT HARD TO READ FOR VISUAL CHECK FROM LEFT SEAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70018](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70018-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 18501893, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185E
- Registry model: [Cessna A185E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (registry code 2072818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18501893
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank Nyman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 1984, 97 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: SHULIN LAKE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 256 total, 161 in this make and model, 169 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19841020060979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841020060979A), Oct 20, 1984: Cessna A185E, Shulin Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft flipped inverted when landing on water with gear down.

## Other investigations on N70018 (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 ANC96LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA107), Jul 28, 1996: Cessna 185 (N70018), Talkeetna, AK, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight planning for departure and his selection of unsuitable terrain. Factors in the accident were soft, snow covered terrain and the pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff.
- [NTSB ANC87FA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87FA084), Jun 28, 1987: Cessna 185 (N70018), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC78DAG99](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC78DAG99), Jun 26, 1978: Cessna 185 (N70018), Naknek, AK, substantial damage

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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