# NTSB ANC95LA140: Cessna 185A, N4145Y, Teller, AK, August 15, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1995, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Teller, AK
- Coordinates: 65.250305, -166.359512 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.2503&lon=-166.3595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 6, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2718
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2718/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA140

## Probable cause

DEFLATION OF THE LEFT MAIN TUNDRA TIRE DUE TO VALVE STEM DAMAGE (FAILURE) WHEN THE TIRE ROTATED INDEPENDENTLY OF THE WHEEL RIM, RESULTING IN LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND A GROUND SWERVE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,tire - failure (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE LANDING AT A COAST GUARD STATION TO BEGIN WORK. THE RUNWAY WAS 4,500 FEET LONG AND HAD AN ASPHALT SURFACE. THE AIRPLANE WAS EQUIPPED WITH LARGE TUNDRA TIRES UTILIZING LARGER THAN STANDARD WHEEL ADAPTERS. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE LEFT MAIN TIRE SUDDENLY DEFLATED, AND THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED. THE AIRPLANE RECEIVED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING, LEFT AILERON, AND LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. AN INSPECTION OF THE LEFT MAIN TIRE REVEALED THAT IT HAD ROTATED INDEPENDENTLY FROM THE WHEEL RIM ALONG THE TIRE BEAD, WHICH DAMAGED THE TIRE TUBE VALVE STEM AND DEFLATED THE TIRE.

## Factual narrative

On August 15, 1995, about 1030 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna 185A, N4145Y, crashed during landing at the Port Clarence Coast Guard station, about 13 miles west of Teller, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country business flight to Port Clarence when the accident occurred.  The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated commercial pilot and 3 passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated at the Teller airport about 1005.

The pilot reported that he was landing the airplane on runway 34. Runway 34 is 4,500 feet long and has an asphalt surface.  During the landing roll, the left main tire suddenly deflated and the airplane ground looped.  The left wingtip contacted the runway surface.  The airplane received damage to the left wing, left aileron, and left horizontal stabilizer.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, Fairbanks Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported that the airplane was utilizing larger than standard wheel adapters.  During the landing, the left main tire rotated independently from the wheel rim and damaged the tire tube valve stem, deflating the tire.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4145Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4145Y-2025-02-08), registration cancelled 2025-02-08, S/N 1850345, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185A
- Registry model: [Cessna 185A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185a) (registry code 2072804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185-0345
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard L. Blodgett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AK54, AK
- Destination: KPC
- Airport: KPC, Port Clarence Cgs, runway 34, 4,500 × 120 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19950815028579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950815028579A), Aug 15, 1995: Cessna 185A, Port Clarence, AK, Substantial damage. Left main tundra tire blew out on landing roll. Ground looped dragging a wing. Tire rotated on wheel. Tore valve.

## Other investigations on N4145Y (3)

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 LAX02LA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA258), Aug 16, 2002: Cessna 185A (N4145Y), Fillmore, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the in-flight collision with terrain during a climb.
- [NTSB ANC90LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA092), Jun 22, 1990: Cessna 185-A (N4145Y), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR TORQUE PLATE CAUSING AN UNCONTROLLABLE LANDING ROLL OUT.
- [NTSB SEA67D0167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67D0167), Sep 15, 1966: Cessna 185 (N4145Y), Great Falls, MT, 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.

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