# NTSB ANC94LA059: Cessna 185F, N93769, Fairbanks, AK, May 29, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1994, 11:54 local (19:54 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.900123, -148.160964 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.9001&lon=-148.1610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2503
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2503/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA059

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT DESCRIBED A GROUND LOOP THAT BEGAN AT THE START OF HIS TAKEOFF ROLL, CONTINUED OUT OF CONTROL TO THE LEFT, DESPITE HARD BRAKING ON THE RIGHT, AND ENDED WITH DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING AND LOSS OF THE MAIN GEAR.

## Factual narrative

On May 29, 1994, at 1154 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 185F, ground-looped on takeoff at Fairbanks International Airport, Alaska.  The commercial pilot and his passenger were departing on a VFR flight plan in visual meteorological conditions to Bettles, Alaska when the accident occurred.  Neither were injured, however the airplane was substantially damaged.  The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal reasons.

The pilot described a ground loop that began at the start of his takeoff roll, continued out of control to the left, despite hard braking on the right, and ended with substantial damage to the left wing and the loss of the main gear.

Fairbanks weather observation for the time of the accident included high broken clouds, a visibility of 100 statute miles and a wind of 290 degrees at 5 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93769](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N93769), registered now, S/N 18503241, built 1977 (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: 185-03241
- Airframe hours: 4010
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thor Einarson
- Registered owner: Jay Jespersen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1994, 60 hours before
- Destination: BET, BETTLES, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: FAI, Fairbanks Intl, runway 1, 10,300 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,900 total, 50 in this make and model, 2,400 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAI

## 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 19940529012989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940529012989A), May 29, 1994: Cessna 185F, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff. Ground looped. Damaged wing. Collapsed main landing gear.

## Other investigations on N93769 (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 ANC88LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA093), Jul 20, 1988: Cessna 185 (N93769), Bettles, AK, substantial damage

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.