# NTSB ANC96LA040: Cessna 185, N9875X, Anchorage, AK, March 31, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 31, 1996, 15:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.159824, -149.989822 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1598&lon=-149.9898&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2813 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2813/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA040 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty crosswind conditions. The strong, gusty crosswind was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, taxi - from landing - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot had landed on a frozen lake with a ski-equipped airplane and was taxiing to his parking area in a westerly direction. Strong winds from the right produced a weather-vaning tendency on the airplane and the pilot countered by using engine power to maintain directional control. A gust of wind picked up the right wing and the airplane began moving sideways. The left main gear ski dug into the snow and the gear collapsed. The left wing then struck the surface of the lake. The wind conditions were 010 degrees at 22 knots, gusting to 28. ## Factual narrative On March 31, 1996, about 1510 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Cessna 185, N9875X, was upset by gusty winds while taxiing from landing at Lake Hood Seaplane Base, Anchorage, 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 Lake Louise, Alaska, at 1400. The pilot reported that he landed to the west on the frozen lake and was taxiing to his parking area. Strong winds from the right were producing a weather-vaning tendency on the airplane and he countered by using engine power to maintain directional control. A gust of wind picked up the right wing and the airplane began moving sideways. The left main gear ski dug into the snow and the gear collapsed. The left wing then struck the surface of the lake. The airplane received damage to the left main gear, left wing, and the left horizontal stabilizer. The 1452 weather observation at Anchorage stated in part: Sky condition and ceiling, clear; visibility, 90 miles; temperature, 36 degrees F; dew point, 11 degrees F; wind, 010 degrees at 22 knots, gust to 28 knots; altimeter, 30.06 inHg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9875X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9875X), registered now, S/N 185-0075, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185 - Registry model: [Cessna 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185) (registry code 2072802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 185-0075 - Airframe hours: 2053 - Engines: Continental IO-470F 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Patsy F. Santoro - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1995, 48 hours before - Departed: LAKE LOUISE, AK - Destination: LHD - Airport: LHD, Lake Hood Seaplane ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 630 total, 550 in this make and model, 630 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 22 knots, gusting 28 - Visibility: 90 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 19960331005679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960331005679A), Mar 31, 1996: Cessna 185, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Ski equipped plane blown sideways taxiing on frozen lake after landing. Collapsed downwind ski. Wing and tail 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.