# NTSB ANC90LA077: Cessna 185, N520VA, Northway, AK, May 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1990, 17:25 local (May 28, 1990, 01:25 UTC)
- Place: Northway, AK
- Coordinates: 63.000965, -141.690277 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.0010&lon=-141.6903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5371
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5371/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA077

## Probable cause

THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE POST-LANDING TAXI.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, taxi - from landing

## Analysis

DURING THE POST-LANDING TAXI, THE PILOT'S ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED BRIEFLY TO INSIDE THE AIRPLANE, DURING WHICH THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WHEEL WENT INTO A HOLE ON THE RAMP. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL AND THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT WING HIT THE GROUND. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S TAXI SPEED WAS FASTER THAN NORMAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N520VA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N520VA), registered now, S/N 18503352, built 1977 (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: 18503352
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520D-24 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard M Beathe
- Registered owner: Richard M. & Larry D Beathe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 11, 1990, 13 hours before
- Departed: YXY, WHITEHORSE
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ORT, Northway, runway 4, 5,100 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,216 total, 274 in this make and model, 1,066 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORT

## 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 19900527019779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900527019779A), May 27, 1990: Cessna A185F, Northway, AK, Substantial damage. During fast taxi to parking area main wheel hit a pot hole allowing wing to hit ground.

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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