# NTSB ANC96LA068: Cessna 185, N70039, Kodiak, AK, May 3, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 3, 1996, 08:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Kodiak, AK - Coordinates: 57.790996, -152.399429 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.7910&lon=-152.3994&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 1, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2838 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2838/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA068 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the soft terrain at the landing site, and a crosswind. ## 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 - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot landed the airplane to the north on a beach. He described the wind as being from his left. He said that as the airplane slowed, he felt the right wheel start dragging. The airplane then ground looped and nosed over. ## Factual narrative On May 3, 1996, at 0830 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N70039, registered to and operated by the pilot, ground looped and nosed over during an off airport landing on the beach near Big River, Alaska, at geographic coordinates, 58 degrees, 35.6 minutes north, 153 degrees, 53 minutes west. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed the beach at Whiskey Gulch located near Deep Creek, Alaska, and the destination was the location of the accident. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated private pilot and the two passengers were not injured and the airplane received substantial damage. During a telephone interview with the pilot on May 4, 1996, he stated that he was landing on the beach to the north and he had a crosswind from the left. As the airplane slowed to 15 to 20 knots, he stated he felt the right wheel start dragging. The airplane then ground looped and nosed over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N70039](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70039-2017-05-31), registration cancelled 2017-05-31, S/N 18501910 (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: 18501910 - Engines: Continental IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mike Mcdowell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: WHISKEY GULCH, AK - Destination: BIG RIVER, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 25 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 8 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19960503009389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960503009389A), May 3, 1996: Cessna A185E, Kodiak, AK, Substantial damage. Ground looped and nosed over landing in crosswind on a beach. ## Other investigations on N70039 (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 ANC10LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10LA024), Mar 10, 2010: Cessna A185E (N70039), Ophir, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. - [NTSB ANC81FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81FA053), May 14, 1981: Cessna A185E (N70039), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC76AA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76AA038), Sep 18, 1975: Cessna A185E (N70039), Twin Lakes, 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.