# NTSB ANC87LA139: Cessna 185F, N93018, Wasilla, AK, September 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1987, 18:00 local (Sep 6, 1987, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Location: 61.5785° N, 149.4763° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wasilla, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5785&lon=-149.4763&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4904
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4904/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA139

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, unknown
  - landing gear,tire - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER ROLLOUT ON THE GRASS RUNWAY, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL CAUSING THE PLANE TO GROUND LOOP. EXMINATION OF THE TAILWHEEL REVEALED THAT THE TIRE WAS FLAT PRIOR TO THE LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93018](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N93018), registered now, S/N 18503161, built 1976 (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: 18503161
- Airframe hours: 2285
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Don Tanner
- Registered owner: Don Tanner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FWL, FAREWELL, AK
- Airport: Private Airstrip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 312 total, 131 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19870905050299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870905050299A), Sep 5, 1987: Cessna A185F, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered off the runway on landing. The tail wheel tire was found to have been flat.

## Other investigations on N93018 (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 ANC19CA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19CA009), Dec 23, 2018: Cessna A185 (N93018), Big Lake, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper decision to land on a roadway during dark night conditions with inoperable landing and taxi lights, which resulted in an impact with a snow berm.
- [NTSB ANC93FA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93FA107), Jul 1, 1993: Cessna 185 (N93018), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO USE ALL OF THE AVAILABLE RUNWAY (WATERWAY). A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION.

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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