# NTSB ANC96LA044: Cessna 185, N1692M, Fairbanks, AK, April 6, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 6, 1996, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.810485, -147.720016 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8105&lon=-147.7200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2816 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2816/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA044 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. A factor in the accident was the gusty wind conditions. ## 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 - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis The pilot stated he encountered low level turbulence during the final approach. He landed on the 'ski strip' and a gust of wind raised the left wing during the landing roll. The airplane veered to the left and the right ski broke off. The airplane continued off the side of the runway and struck a snow berm and nosed over. The pilot estimated the winds to be from 130 degrees at 11 knots with gusts to 22 knots. The Fairbanks weather observation facility showed winds were from 160 degrees at 10 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 6, 1996, at 1530 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N1692M, registered to the pilot's wife and operated by the pilot, veered left during landing at Fairbanks International Airport, Ski Strip, and nosed over upon hitting a small snow bank. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Harding Lake, Alaska, located approximately 38 miles southeast of Fairbanks. The destination was Fairbanks. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated private pilot and his two passengers were not injured and the airplane received substantial damage. According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he said that while on final approach he encountered some low level turbulence. He continued the approach and made a three point landing. During roll out and within 100 feet of the touchdown point a strong gust of wind raised the left wing. The nose veered to the left. The pilot stated he was about to apply power when the right ski broke off. The airplane then hit a snow berm located off the side of the runway and the airplane nosed over. The pilot estimated the winds to be from 130 degrees at 11 knots with gusts to 22 knots. The Fairbanks weather observation facility showed winds were from 160 degrees at 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1692M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1692M), registered now, S/N 18501877, built 1971 (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: 18501877 - Airframe hours: 923 - Engines: Continental IO-520D 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Donald J. Hoshaw - Registered owner: Susan E. Everts - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1995, 70 hours before - Departed: HARDING LAKE, AK - Destination: FAI - Airport: FAI, Fairbanks International, runway 19, 3,300 × 90 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 394 total, 304 in this make and model, 394 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 10 knots - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 25 °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 19960406026459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960406026459A), Apr 6, 1996: Cessna A185E, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Ski plane veered landing on ski strip. Nosed over. Blamed wind gust. Lifted a wing. Side load broke off ski. 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.