# NTSB ANC88LA145: Cessna 185F, N61500, Chip River, AK, September 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1988, 09:47 local (17:47 UTC)
- Place: Chip River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5086
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5086/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA145

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AIR TAXI PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON THE SNOW COVERED TUNDRA NEAR HIS PASSENGER'S FISH CAMP. THE TUNDRA HAD NOT YET FROZEN SUFFICIENTLY TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE, AND THE MAIN LANDING GEAR QUICKLY BECAME MIRED IN THE SOFT SOIL, CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO DECELERATE RAPIDLY AND NOSE OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61500](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61500-1998-04-15), registration cancelled 1998-04-15, S/N 18504217 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185F
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18504217
- Airframe hours: 2162
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Cape Smythe Air Service
- Registered owner: Cape Smythe Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 4, 1988, 52 hours before
- Departed: BRW, BARROW, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 200 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft broken
- Temperature: 32 °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 19880921046489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880921046489A), Sep 21, 1988: Cessna 185, Chip River, AK, Substantial damage. Landed on snow covered partially frozen tundra. Wheels sank in and aircraft flipped over.

## Other investigations on N61500 (3)

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 ANC98LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA009), Oct 31, 1997: Cessna 185F (N61500), Barrow, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, and his delay in aborting the takeoff. A factor in the accident was the presence of gravel/sand in the takeoff area.
- [NTSB ANC93LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA044), Mar 14, 1993: Cessna 185 (N61500), Barrow, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT IN COMMAND INADVERTENTLY STALLING THE AIRPLANE.
- [NTSB ANC85LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA088), Jun 1, 1985: Cessna A185F (N61500), Alaktak, 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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