# NTSB ANC96LA165: Cessna 185, N222WH, Nome, AK, September 28, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 28, 1996, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Nome, AK - Coordinates: 64.710258, -164.619262 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7103&lon=-164.6193&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2911 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2911/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA165 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain proper alignment of the selected landing area. Subsequent encounter with rocks was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) (contributing factor) - landing gear,tire - failure - ground loop/swerve - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot was landing in a remote area to pick up two hunting partners in a tail-wheel equipped airplane. He reported that during the landing, the airplane drifted to the right and ground looped. Also, he noted that the right tire suddenly deflated from overload or was cut and punctured by rocks at touchdown. Subsequently, the right landing gear strut collapsed, and the right wing struck rocks along the right side of the landing area. The pilot indicated that the main landing gear tires were 8.50 X 6. No mechanical malfunction was reported. ## Factual narrative On September 28, 1996, about 1330 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 185, N222WH, crashed during landing about 66 miles north-northeast of Nome, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Nome airport at 1229. On October 1, 1996, at 1035, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) that he was landing in a remote area to pick up two hunting partners. The landing area next to the Boston Creek, consisting of gravel, and tundra, was oriented in an east/west direction and was about 1,200 feet long. The pilot landed toward the west. He indicated that light and variable winds were primarily from the south. During the landing touchdown, the right main tire deflated and the right landing gear strut collapsed. The pilot noted the right tire suddenly deflated from overload or was cut and punctured by rocks at touchdown. The airplane ground looped and the right wing struck numerous rocks along the right side of the landing area. The pilot indicated that the main landing gear tires are 8.50 X 6. In the pilot/operator report submitted by the pilot to the NTSB on October 17, 1996, the pilot indicated the airplane drifted to the right and ground looped. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunction or tire malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: N222WH (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18503377 - Airframe hours: 3174 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John D. Walsh - Registered owner: Excavation Consulting Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 6, 1996, 45 hours before - Departed: OME, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 3,700 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 39 °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 19960928035709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960928035709A), Sep 28, 1996: Cessna A185F, Nome, AK, Substantial damage. Blew right main tire on landing roll on gravel tundra area. Ground looped damaged right wing. Tire cut by rocks. 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.