# NTSB ANC87LA053: Cessna 185F, N9618H, Skwentna, AK, March 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1987, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Skwentna, AK
- Coordinates: 61.92908, -151.729095 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9291&lon=-151.7291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4835
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4835/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA053

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,ski assembly - movement restricted
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - failure,total (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING ON SKIS AT EXCESS SPEED, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE IN A CROSSWIND. THE LANDING GEAR BOX FAILED CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRFRAME AND PROPELLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9618H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9618H), registered now, S/N 18503454, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185F
- 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: 18503454
- Airframe hours: 953
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ray Sanford Dickey, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 1986, 60 hours before
- Departed: AK83, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: FISH LAKES, AK
- Airport: SKW, Skwentna

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 3,604 total, 968 in this make and model, 3,308 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 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 19870315007979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870315007979A), Mar 15, 1987: Cessna A185F, Swentna, AK, Substantial damage. The right main gear collapsed when the ski equipped aircraft attempted a turn in loose snow. Runway on frozen lake

## Other investigations on N9618H (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 ANC95LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA011), Nov 19, 1994: Cessna 185F (N9618H), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. THE PILOT'S DISREGARD OF A NOTAM THAT CLOSED THE RUNWAY AND A SLUSH COVERED RUNWAY AREA WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

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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