# NTSB ANC86LA053: Cessna 185, N9706H, Bethel, AK, May 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1986, 19:30 local (May 2, 1986, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Bethel, AK
- Coordinates: 60.809146, -161.849822 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8091&lon=-161.8498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4659
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4659/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA053

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi
  - terrain condition - weak ice (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - company-induced pressure, company/operator management (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF ON THE FROZEN RIVER WHEN THE LEFT MAIN GEAR BROKE THROUGH THE ICE. THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT WING AND LEFT GEAR WERE DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9706H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9706H-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 18503463, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- 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: 18503463
- Airframe hours: 3732
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 1, 1985, 9 hours before
- Departed: BETHEL, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 700 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 28 °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 19860501015809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860501015809A), May 1, 1986: Cessna A185F, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. While taxiing for takeoff,the left main gear ski broke through river ice. River ice had thinned by warming weather.

## Other investigations on N9706H (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 ANC89LA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA178), Sep 30, 1989: Cessna 185 (N9706H), Shotgun Hills, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY EVALUATE THE EXISTING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN BOTH PERSONAL…
- [NTSB ANC84LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA022), Dec 11, 1983: Cessna C-185A (N9706H), Quinhagak, 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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