# NTSB ANC92LA151: Cessna 185E, N3347L, Yakutat, AK, August 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1992, 18:45 local (Aug 30, 1992, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Yakutat, AK
- Coordinates: 59.510559, -139.710098 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.5106&lon=-139.7101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5795
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5795/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA151

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND NOT MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Analysis

THE PILOT IN COMMAND OF THE 14 CFR PART 135 ON DEMAND SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER THE MAIN LANDING GEAR TIRES TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RUNWAY SURFACE, THE AIRPLANE VEERED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT.  DEPRESSING THE RIGHT RUDDER PEDAL AND APPLYING HEAVY BRAKING TO THE RIGHT WHEEL HAD NO NOTICEABLE AFFECT ON THE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.  THE PILOT BELIEVED THAT THE CONTROL DIFFICULTY MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE UNINTENTIONAL DEPRESSING OF THE LEFT RUDDER PEDAL BY THE PASSENGER SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT.  THE PASSENGER DENIED THIS TO BE THE CASE.  A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE OPERATOR FOUND NO DIFFICULTIES WITH THE PLANE'S FLIGHT AND GROUND CONTROL DIRECTIONAL SYSTEMS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - runway light

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3347L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3347L), registered now, S/N 185-1275, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185E
- Registry model: [Cessna A185E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (registry code 2072818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185 1275
- Airframe hours: 8208
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Gulf Air Taxi, Inc.
- Registered owner: Gulf Air Taxi, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 20, 1992, 24 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: YAK, Yakutat, runway 29, 7,748 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,559 total, 91 in this make and model, 2,559 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 122 °F, dew point 117 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920829033999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920829033999A), Aug 29, 1992: Cessna A185E, Yakutat, AK, Substantial damage. Ground looped on landing. Pilot believed passenger hit brake but passenger denied same.

## Other investigations on N3347L (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 ANC98IA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98IA096), Jul 5, 1998: Cessna 185 (N3347L), Homer, AK, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: The failure of the right main landing gear leg due to corrosion pitting and fatigue.

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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