# NTSB ANC89LA050: Cessna 185, N9824X, Shell Lake, AK, March 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1989, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Shell Lake, AK
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5170
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5170/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA050

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISION IN SELECTING UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH TO LAND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN AND THE SNOWBANK.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - landing gear,main gear - separation
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A FROZEN LAKE WHEN HIS RIGHT SKI HIT A SNOW DRIFT AND BECAME DETACHED. THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT GEAR CONTACTED THE ICE CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO NOSE OVER ON ITS BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9824X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185-0024
- Airframe hours: 3103
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James C. Knapp
- Registered owner: A.E. Knapp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 1988, 50 hours before
- Departed: BGQ, BIG LAKE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 711 total, 211 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 19 °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 19890307003399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890307003399A), Mar 7, 1989: Cessna 185, Shell Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Struck a snow drift landing ski equipped aircraft on frozen lake. Impact knocked off ski. Overturned on landing.

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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