# NTSB ANC89LA111: Cessna 185, N75LE, Fairbanks, AK, July 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1989, 22:42 local (Jul 1, 1989, 06:42 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809005, -147.720489 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8090&lon=-147.7205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5214
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5214/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA111

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS.  THE CROSSWIND AND GUSTS WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AS HE WAS LANDING, A GUST OF WIND FROM THE LEFT LIFTED THE LEFT WING.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE RIGHT WING HIT THE GROUND AND THE RIGHT WING TIP AND AILERON WERE DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N75LE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N75LE), registered now, S/N 185-0870, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Registry model: [Cessna 185D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185d) (registry code 2072812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1850870
- Airframe hours: 2408
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1988, 155 hours before
- Airport: FA1, Fairbanks, runway 15, 3,600 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 164 total, 163 in this make and model, 89 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAI

## 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 19890630019109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890630019109A), Jun 30, 1989: Cessna 185D, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Dragged a wing and lost control on landing. Blamed wind gust but none reported.

## Other investigations on N75LE (5)

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 ANC13CA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA075), Aug 8, 2013: Cessna 185D (N75LE), North Pole, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The malfunction of the right main wheel brake during taxi due to a faulty O-ring in the right brake pedal master cylinder.
- [NTSB ANC93LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA086), May 23, 1993: Cessna 185 (N75LE), Barrow, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR SPRING.
- [NTSB ANC87LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA027), Jan 27, 1987: Cessna 185D (N75LE), North Pole, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC85LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA095), Jun 14, 1985: Cessna 185 (N75LE), Kantishna, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC81DA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DA006), Nov 26, 1980: Cessna 185 (N75LE), Fort Yukon, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
