# NTSB ANC93LA088: Cessna 185, N8536L, Arctic Village, AK, June 12, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1993, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Arctic Village, AK
- Coordinates: 68.090858, -145.600036 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=68.0909&lon=-145.6000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2356
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2356/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA088

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A LANDING. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE SOFT/THIN (WEAK) ICE CONDITION OF THE LAKE SURFACE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, landing
  - terrain condition - weak ice (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE SEVERAL LOW PASSES OVER A FROZEN LAKE AND BOUNCED THE GEAR ON THE SURFACE TO CHECK THE CONDITION OF THE ICE.  HE THEN ELECTED TO LAND ON THE LAKE.  DURING THE LAST 100 FEET OF THE LANDING ROLLOUT, THE MAIN LANDING GEAR TIRES BEGAN TO CUT A GROOVE IN THE ICE.  THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY SANK IN APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET OF WATER.

## Factual narrative

On June 12, 1993, at 0930 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N8536L, owned and operated by the pilot in command, sank through the ice on Porcupine Lake during the landing rollout.  The accident site is approximately 97 nautical miles southeast of Deadhorse (Prudhoe Bay), Alaska.  The pilot and the two passengers on board were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The personal flight departed Shader Lake earlier that same morning under the general aviation flight rules of 14 CFR Part 91 for the purpose of a day fishing trip when the accident occurred.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed with the Barrow Flight Service Station.

During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator in charge on the morning of June 13, 1993, the pilot reported that he made several low passes over the lake to check the condition of the ice and that on one of the passes he bounced one of the main landing gear tires on the ice.  During the last 100 feet of the landing rollout, the main landing gear tires began to cut a groove in the ice and the airplane began to sink.  The pilot estimated the airplane was submerged in approximately 30 feet of water.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8536L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185-01575
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Klawitter, Mike
- Registered owner: Klawitter, Mike
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1993, 10 hours before
- Departed: POTERS LAKE, AK
- Destination: PORCUPINE LAKE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 720 total, 230 in this make and model, 680 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °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 19930612020999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930612020999A), Jun 12, 1993: Cessna A185E, Arctic Village, AK, Substantial damage. Landed on frozen lake. Ice mushy and thin. Broke through and sank in 30 feet of water. Occupants exited onto ice.

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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