# NTSB ANC97LA028: Cessna 185F, N93189, Delta Junction, AK, February 23, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 23, 1997, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Delta Junction, AK - Coordinates: 63.700687, -144.88977 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.7007&lon=-144.8898&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2966 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2966/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA028 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation of wind conditins, and failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff run. The crosswind 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, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,main gear attachment - overload ## Analysis The pilot and passenger were departing a remote, frozen lake, in a wheel/ski equipped airplane. During the takeoff run, in a southerly direction, the airplane encountered strong gusty winds from the east. The airplane began to slide sideways to the right and the right main gear separated from the fuselage at the upper gear attach point. The right wing and propeller struck the ice. The closest official weather observation station, 41 miles west of the accident site, was reporting wind from the east at 12 knots with gusts to 24 knots. ## Factual narrative On February 23, 1997, about 1530 Alaska standard time, a wheel/ski equipped Cessna 185F, N93189, crashed during takeoff from a remote lake, about 41 miles east of Delta Junction, 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 private pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on February 24, 1997, at 1410, the pilot reported he landed on the frozen surface of Sand Lake to inspect property. During the takeoff run in a southerly direction, the airplane encountered strong gusty winds from the east. The airplane began to slide sideways to the right and the right main gear separated from the fuselage at the upper gear attach point. The right wing and propeller struck the ice. The closest official weather observation station is Allen Army Airfield, Delta Junction, Alaska. On February 23, 1997, at 1551, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting in part: Wind, 150 degrees (true) at 12 knots, gusts to 24 knots; visibility, 35 statute miles; clouds, few at 6,500 feet, 10,000 feet scattered, 18,000 feet overcast; temperature, 44 degrees F; dew point, 25 degrees F; altimeter, 29.58 inHg. At 1552, a METAR from Northway, Alaska, located 80 nautical miles east of the accident site was reporting in part: Wind, variable at 4 knots; visibility, 50 statute miles; clouds, 7,000 feet broken, 12,000 feet overcast; temperature, 22 degrees F; dew point, 19 degrees F; altimeter, 29.70 inHg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N93189](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N93189), registered now, S/N 18503194 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185F - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18503194 - Airframe hours: 687 - Engines: Continental IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Winston Burbank - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 1997, 5 hours before - Destination: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 552 total, 72 in this make and model, 466 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 12 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 35 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BIG, 41 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 19970223010029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970223010029A), Feb 23, 1997: Cessna A185F, Delta Junction, AK, Substantial damage. Takeoff from frozen lake in gusty crosswind. Slid sideways. Right gear broke off from side loading. Wing hit. 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.