# NTSB ANC96LA008: Cessna 185, N4755Q, Yakutat, AK, October 22, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 22, 1995, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Yakutat, AK - Coordinates: 59.510082, -139.710586 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.5101&lon=-139.7106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2783 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2783/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA008 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in his failure (or inability) to maintain directional control of the airplane, while attempting to negotiate a bend (dog-leg) in the runway. Factors relating to the accident were: variable/gusty wind conditions, wet (grass) runway condition, and a bend (dog-leg) in the landing area. ## Analysis The certificated private pilot was landing toward the south on a wet, 1,600 foot long grass covered strip. About half way down the landing area, the strip had a 15 degree bend to the right. During the landing roll, the pilot attempted to turn the airplane to the right at the dogleg in the airstrip, but the airplane did not respond. The left wingtip struck several bushes, spinning the airplane sideways. The airplane received damage to both wings, tail assembly, and landing gear. The pilot indicated that the wind was from the southeast with gusts to about 15 knots. Witnesses on the ground reported that after the accident, gusty wind conditions varied from the north and east. ## Factual narrative On October 22, 1995, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna 185, N4755Q, crashed during landing at a remote grass covered landing strip near the Alsek River, about 36 miles southeast of Yakutat, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Juneau airport, Juneau, Alaska, about 1339. The pilot reported that he was transporting supplies to the accident site for a moose hunt. He landed on the 1,600 foot long strip toward the south. About half way down the landing area, the strip has a 15 degree bend to the right. During the landing roll, the left wingtip struck several bushes, spinning the airplane sideways. The airplane received damage to both wings, tail assembly, and landing gear. The pilot indicated that the wind was from the southeast with gusts to about 15 knots. Witnesses on the ground reported that after the accident, gusty wind conditions varied from the north and east. The weather conditions at the time included light rain. The airstrip is grass covered. An Alaska State Trooper, Division of Fish and Wildlife Protection, had landed at the airstrip prior to the accident. He observed the accident and interviewed the pilot. At the scene, the pilot reported that after landing, he attempted to turn the airplane to the right at the dogleg in the airstrip but the airplane did not respond. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - grass - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - other (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4755Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4755Q), registered now, S/N 185-1212, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 185 - Registry model: [Cessna A185E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (registry code 2072818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 185-1212 - Airframe hours: 3053 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Morton J. Cook - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 11, 1995, 54 hours before - Departed: JNU, JUNEAU, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: Francis Strip, runway 18, 1,600 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,114 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 2,114 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 135° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken - 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 19951022033699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951022033699A), Oct 22, 1995: Cessna A185E, Yakutat, AK, Substantial damage. Landing on remote strip with a bend in it. Wing caught bushes. Cartwheeled. Gusty wind also a factor. ## Other investigations on N4755Q (2) 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 ANC93LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA002), Oct 3, 1992: Cessna A185E (N4755Q), Admiralty Isl, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE SOFT SAND. - [NTSB NYC73DFJ24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73DFJ24), May 11, 1973: Cessna A185E (N4755Q), Penn Yan, NY, 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.