# NTSB ANC92LA099: Cessna 185F, N4874Q, Ekuk, AK, July 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1992, 16:00 local (Jul 1, 1992, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Ekuk, AK
- Coordinates: 55.920928, -159.490814 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9209&lon=-159.4908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5749
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5749/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA099

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE HIDDEN OBSTRUCTION ON THE SURFACE OF THE LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - inattentive, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE LANDED ON THE BEACH NEAR A SET NET SITE TO DISCUSS HAULING FISH FROM THE BEACH.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE'S TAILWHEEL HOOKED A FISH NET ANCHOR ROPE.  THE ROPE WAS THE SAME COLOR AS THE BEACH SAND, GRAY.  THE AIRPLANE WAS DECELERATING RAPIDLY AND THE ROPE BROKE AND THE PILOT COULD NOT CONTROL THE AIRPLANE.  THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED ON THE BEACH CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT WING, AILERON AND RIGHT STABILIZER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4874Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4874Q), registered now, S/N 18503567, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185F
- 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: 18503567
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Danial P. Seybert, doing business as Penair
- Registered owner: Peninsula Airways
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: DLG, DILLINGHAM, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 12,000 total, 350 in this make and model, 11,700 as pilot in command, 187 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °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 19920701023129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920701023129A), Jul 1, 1992: Cessna A185F, Ekuk, AK, Substantial damage. Landing on a beach tail wheel hooked a fishline. Slowed aircraft then line broke. Lost control and ground looped.

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.