# NTSB ANC88LA054: Cessna 185F, N22901, Hunter Creek, AK, May 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1988, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Hunter Creek, AK
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5004
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5004/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA054

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,axle - failure,total (cause)
  - landing gear,axle - fatigue (cause)
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER LANDING AT A MINING CAMP AIRSTRIP, THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR FAILED CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO GROUND LOOP. EXAMINATION OF THE BROKEN GEAR PART REVEALED THE ORIGINAL FRACTURE TO BE A FATIGUE FRACTURE. THE INITIAL CRACK IN THE GEAR LEG RAN PARALLEL TO THE GEAR BOLT HOLE. THE ACFT WAS INSPECTED 80 HRS BEFORE THE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22901](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22901-2017-06-21), registration cancelled 2017-06-21, S/N 18503077, 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: 18503077
- Airframe hours: 3800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Bill Lentsch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 3, 1987, 80 hours before
- Departed: FAIRBANKS, AK
- Airport: Mining Camp Airstrip, runway 23, 1,000 × 75 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 17,400 total, 4,200 in this make and model, 17,245 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 30 °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 19880506013199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880506013199A), May 6, 1988: Cessna A185F, Hunter Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Right main landing gear leg failed due to fatigue while landing. Aircraft ground looped.

## Other investigations on N22901 (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 NYC78DNC40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78DNC40), Jul 21, 1978: Cessna 185 (N22901), St Albans, VT, 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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