# NTSB ANC85LA082: Cessna C-185, N5815T, Anchorage, AK, May 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1985, 10:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.220565, -149.850372 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2206&lon=-149.8504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4493
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4493/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA082

## 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
  - aircraft handling - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT IN COMMAND TOUCHED DOWN ON A DRY RUNWAY IN A CRAB ANGLE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE RESULTING IN GROUND LOOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5815T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5815T), registered now, S/N 185-0715 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-185
- Registry model: [Cessna 185C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185c) (registry code 2072808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0715
- Airframe hours: 1546
- Engines: Teledyne Cont IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas Eugene Hendershott
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1985, 70 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: MRI, Merrill, runway 24, 3,999 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,287 total, 70 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRI

## 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 19850513016449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850513016449A), May 13, 1985: Cessna 185C, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Landed in a crab and ground looped aircraft. Attributed to lack of recent experience.

## Other investigations on N5815T (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 MIA68D0546](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68D0546), May 18, 1968: Cessna 185 (N5815T), Ft Lauderdale, FL, 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.

---
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.