# NTSB ANC88FA021: Cessna 185, N4056Y, Fairbanks, AK, November 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 27, 1987, 15:43 local (19:43 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809722, -147.720535 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8097&lon=-147.7205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4944
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88FA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4944/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88FA021

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - landing gear,ski assembly - disconnected (cause)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight control,elevator attachment - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS TWO PASSENGERS WERE RETURNING FROM A HUNTING TRIP WHEN THE AIRPLANE CRASHED 7 MILES FROM THE FAIRBANKS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND IN A VERTICAL ATTITUDE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. EVIDENCE AT THE SCENE SUGGESTS THAT THE LEFT WHEEL PENETRATION SKI HAD DEFLECTED INFLIGHT JUST PRIOR TO THE CRASH. OTHER PILOTS WHO HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF SKI REPORT THE DEFLECTION TO BE ACCOMPANIED BY A VIOLENT PITCH DOWN OF THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT HAD NOT COMPLIED WITH AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE DATED MAY 12, 1980, THAT THE SKIS BE MODIFIED TO PRECLUDE JUST SUCH AN OCCURRENCE. ADDITIONALLY, THE PILOT HAD KNOWLEDGE OF, AND FAILED TO REMOVE, 3 TENT POLES WHICH HAD FALLEN BEHIND THE AFT BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT. ONE OF THESE POLES AND THE ELEVATOR BELLCRANK ASSEMBLY SHOWED SIGNS OF INTERFERRENCE THAT INDICATED CONTROL BINDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4056Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4056Y-2012-07-24), registration cancelled 2012-07-24, S/N 185-0256, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Registry model: [Cessna 185A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185a) (registry code 2072804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1850256
- Airframe hours: 2350
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Berton W. Duncan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1987, 82 hours before
- Destination: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Airport: FAI, Fairbanks Int'L

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,568 total, 175 in this make and model, 1,526 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 3 °F, dew point 1 °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 19871127070109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871127070109A), Nov 27, 1987: Cessna STC185, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage, 3 fatal. Suffered a ski pitchdown and poles left in tail blocked elevator travel. Vertical impact. AD on skis not complied.

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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