# NTSB ANC86LA018: Cessna 185, N4520F, Aleknagik, AK, December 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 20, 1985, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Aleknagik, AK
- Location: 59.2889° N, 158.6645° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Aleknagik, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.2889&lon=-158.6645&mi=10
- 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): 4630
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4630/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA018

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT ON LANDING AT A FROZEN LAKE HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT CAUSING THE PLANE TO GROUND LOOP. THE AIRCRAFT THEN STRUCK A SNOW BANK ON THE BEACH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4520F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4520F), registered now, S/N 185-1005, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- 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: 1005
- Airframe hours: 6956
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Armstrong Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: DLG, DILLINGHAM, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 26,800 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 26,800 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 19 °F

## 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 19851220064049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851220064049A), Dec 20, 1985: Cessna A185E, Alegnagik, AK, Substantial damage. Torn teflon on bottom of ski caused sharp turn after landing on frozen lake. Hit snow on the beach and groundlooped.

## Other investigations on N4520F (2)

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 ANC74DAG70](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74DAG70), Oct 20, 1973: Cessna 185 (N4520F), Ugashik, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC74AA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74AA024), Aug 13, 1973: Cessna 185 (N4520F), Pilot Point, 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.

---
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.