# NTSB ANC90LA031: Cessna 185, N1802R, Willow, AK, January 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1990, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Willow, AK
- Coordinates: 61.889358, -149.730712 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8894&lon=-149.7307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 18, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5337
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5337/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA031

## Probable cause

SELECTION OF AN UNSUITABLE LANDING AREA (UNSUITABLE TERRAIN) BY THE PILOT.    FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DEEP SNOW ON THE RUNWAY AND FAILURE OF THE FLIGHT SERVICE STATION (FSS) SPECIALIST TO INFORM THE PILOT THAT THE RUNWAY WAS CLOSED TO WHEEL EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - airport snow removal - not possible
  - notams - issued, airport personnel
  - notams - not identified, atc personnel(fss) (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE WHEEL EQUIPPED AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AFTER LANDING ON A RUNWAY COVERED WITH ABOUT TWO FEET OF UNPLOWED SNOW. A LOCAL NOTAM THAT CLOSED THE RUNWAY TO WHEELED AIRPLANES HAD NOT BEEN GIVEN TO THE PILOT DURING HIS PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1802R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1802R), registered now, S/N 18502518, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- 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: 18502518
- Airframe hours: 1440
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rick D. Richter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 11, 1990, 2 hours before
- Departed: Z41, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: Z22, Willow, runway 31, 4,600 × 105 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 675 in this make and model, 2,400 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900121001469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900121001469A), Jan 21, 1990: Cessna A185F, Willow, AK, Substantial damage. Fss failed to advise on a briefing runway closed due to two feet of wet snow. Landed and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N1802R (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 ANC86FA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86FA126), Aug 16, 1986: Cessna 185 (N1802R), Anchorage, AK, minor 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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