# NTSB ANC95LA011: Cessna 185F, N9618H, Anchorage, AK, November 19, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 19, 1994, 15:19 local (19:19 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.159793, -149.989212 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1598&lon=-149.9892&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 29, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2610 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2610/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA011 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. THE PILOT'S DISREGARD OF A NOTAM THAT CLOSED THE RUNWAY AND A SLUSH COVERED RUNWAY AREA WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - slush covered (contributing factor) - notams - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON A FROZEN LAKE TO EXCHANGE THE MAIN LANDING GEAR WHEELS FOR SKI EQUIPMENT. THE INTENDED AIRPORT, A SEAPLANE BASE, HAD BEEN CLOSED DUE TO SLUSH AND SOFT ICE CONDITIONS. A NOTAM HAD BEEN ISSUED AND THE PILOT WAS ADVISED OF THE NOTAM PRIOR TO LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED SOFT ICE/SNOW AND NOSED OVER. ## Factual narrative On November 19, 1994, at 1519 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna Model 185F airplane, N9618H, registered to the pilot-in-command, nosed over during a landing attempt on the frozen over Lake Hood Seaplane base, Anchorage, Alaska. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight last departed the Merrill Field Airport in North Anchorage, Alaska and the destination was Lake Hood. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and there was no flight plan on file for the flight. The pilot was planning to land on the ice covered lake to exchange his landing gear wheels for ski equipment. While inbound to Lake Hood, the pilot was advised by Anchorage Air Traffic Control Tower personnel that a NOTAM was in effect for Lake Hood and the airport was closed. The pilot continued with the approach/landing. The plane touched down in soft slushy ice/snow and nosed over. The airport/facility directory indicates that overflows onto the ice may occur during the winter months. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9618H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9618H), registered now, S/N 18503454, 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: 18503454 - Airframe hours: 1427 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D24 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dickey, Ray S. Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1994, 1 hours before - Departed: MRL, AK - Airport: LHD, Lake Hood Seaplane ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,615 total, 1,740 in this make and model, 4,565 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 35 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ANC, 1 nm away ## 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 19941119038639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941119038639A), Nov 19, 1994: Cessna A185F, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Planned land on frozen lake to put on skis. ATC advised NOTAM lake area closed. Landed. Nosed over in slush on ice. ## Other investigations on N9618H (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 ANC87LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA053), Mar 15, 1987: Cessna 185F (N9618H), Skwentna, 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.