# NTSB ANC94LA016: Cessna A185F, N185FK, Chefornak, AK, November 8, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1993, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Chefornak, AK
- Coordinates: 60.149753, -164.25032 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.1498&lon=-164.2503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2473
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2473/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA016

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE GUSTY CROSS WIND CONDITION.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE WIND GUST.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE PERFORMING A TAKEOFF FROM RUNWAY 16 WITH AN EASTERLY WIND AT 25 KNOTS GUSTING TO 35 KNOTS, THE AIRPLANE SUDDENLY VEERED ABOUT 45 DEGREES TO THE LEFT.  THE PLANE DID NOT RESPOND TO CORRECTIVE INPUTS AND THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE RUNWAY.

## Factual narrative

On November 8, 1993, at 1400 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna A185F airplane, N185FK, crashed during takeoff from runway 15 at Chefornak Airport, Alaska.  The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The 14 CRR Part 135 all cargo scheduled commuter flight last departed Kipnuk, Alaska, and the destination was Chefornak.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was in effect.

The pilot reported that during the initial takeoff roll a gust of wind raised the left wing causing the right wing to strike the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N185FK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N185FK), registered now, S/N 18502513, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- 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: 18502513
- Airframe hours: 1808
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Hageland Aviation Services
- Registered owner: Hageland Aviation Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 16, 1993, 44 hours before
- Destination: TOKSOOK BAY, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: Z74, Chefornak, runway 16, 2,600 × 40 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 14,000 as pilot in command, 260 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 25 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 36 °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 19931108046169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931108046169A), Nov 8, 1993: Cessna A185F, Chefornak, AK, Substantial damage. Weathervaned into severe gusty crosswind on takeoff. Slid sideways. Wing hit runway exceeded crosswind component.

## Other investigations on N185FK (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 ANC13LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13LA032), Mar 8, 2013: Cessna A185F (N185FK), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The overstress fracture and failure of the right wheel/ski arm while taxiing in snow and water-overflow terrain conditions, which resulted in a noseover.

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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