# NTSB ANC90LA136: Cessna 185, N5246E, Talkeetna, AK, August 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1990, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.449497, -149.789108 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4495&lon=-149.7891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5421
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5421/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA136

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SPRING UPON LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear spring - fatigue (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

UPON TOUCHDOWN ON A GRAVEL STRIP, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SPRING BROKE OFF AT THE WHEEL AXLE ATTACHING POINT, DUE TO FATIGUE CRACKS. THE AIRPLANE NORMALLY OPERATES WITH WHEEL-SKIIS DURING THE WINTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5246E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5246E-2007-09-18), registration cancelled 2007-09-18, S/N 18503943, built 1979 (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: 18503943
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: David J. Lee
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE, Yellow Jacket Creek, runway 27, 2,000 × 15 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 250 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19900808031549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900808031549A), Aug 8, 1990: Cessna A185F, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Right main landing gear broke off at attach point on touchdown. Right wing damaged by dragging on ground.

## Other investigations on N5246E (4)

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 ANC03LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA057), Jun 9, 2003: Cessna 185 (N5246E), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive taxi speed while attempting to turn the airplane in soft snow, which resulted in a nose over. A factor in the accident was soft snow.
- [NTSB ANC97LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA120), Aug 9, 1997: Cessna 185 (N5246E), Chickaloon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: inadequate maintenance inspection and failure of the left main landing gear attachment due to fatigue. A factor was continuous use of the airplane for rough area, off-airport landings.
- [NTSB ANC96LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA111), Aug 4, 1996: Cessna 185 (N5246E), Healy, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The inadequate visual outlook by the pilots of both aircraft, and their failure to see and avoid the other aircraft. A factor associated with the accident was sunglare affecting the helicopter…
- [NTSB ANC96LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA030), Mar 4, 1996: Cessna 185F (N5246E), Skwentna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for landing. A factor associated with the accident was the rough and uneven terrain.

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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