# NTSB ANC97LA086: Cessna 185F, N60859, Sitka, AK, June 19, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 19, 1997, 14:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: Sitka, AK - Coordinates: 56.729312, -135.000579 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.7293&lon=-135.0006&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3016 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3016/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA086 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot(s) to properly flare the airplane during a simulated forced landing. The excessive rate of descent on final approach was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - water - emergency procedure - simulated, check pilot - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor) - flare - not attained, flightcrew (cause) - Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,float assembly - overload ## Analysis The certificated commercial pilot (first pilot) was receiving training in preparation for a CFR Part 135 check ride in a float equipped airplane. The company's chief pilot (second pilot), was seated in the right front seat of the airplane. The second pilot briefed the first pilot about a training maneuver that was a simulated engine failure after takeoff from the water. After takeoff with 20 degrees of flaps selected, the second pilot pulled the engine throttle to idle about 60 to 100 feet above the water. The first pilot lowered the nose of the airplane and descended for landing. The first pilot landed the airplane on the water in a level attitude, but with an excessive rate of descent. The front float strut attach points separated from the fuselage, and the front of the fuselage pivoted downward, coming to rest on the front float spreader bar. The airplane received wrinkling damage to the fuselage aft of the float attach points. ## Factual narrative On June 19, 1997, about 1440 Alaska daylight time, an amphibious float equipped Cessna 185F, N60859, crashed during a simulated forced landing on a remote lake, about 10 miles south of Sitka, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area instructional flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Mountain Aviation Inc., Sitka, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot (first pilot), a certificated airline transport pilot (second pilot), and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Sitka airport, about 1330. On June 20, 1997, at 1320, the second pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), he was preparing the first pilot and the passenger for a CFR Part 135 check ride to be conducted in a float equipped airplane. The second pilot is the chief pilot for Mountain Aviation. The second pilot, seated in the right front seat, stated he briefed the first pilot about the planned training maneuver that was a simulated engine failure after takeoff from the water. Following a takeoff with 20 degrees of flaps selected, the second pilot pulled the engine throttle to idle about 60 to 100 feet above the water. The first pilot, seated in the left front seat, lowered the nose of the airplane and descended for landing. The first pilot landed the airplane on the water in a level attitude but with an excessive rate of descent. The front float strut attach points separated from the fuselage and the front of the fuselage pivoted downward, coming to rest on the front float spreader bar. The airplane received wrinkling damage to the fuselage aft of the float attach points and under the front doors. The propeller struck the front portion of one float. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N60859](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60859-2001-12-31), registration cancelled 2001-12-31, S/N 18504064, built 1980 (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: 18504064 - Airframe hours: 14380 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D27B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mountain Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 11, 1997, 25 hours before - Departed: SIT - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,911 total, 1,155 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 135° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °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 19970619018419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970619018419A), Jun 19, 1997: Cessna A185F, Sitka, AK, Substantial damage. (.4)The certificated commercial pilot (first pilot) was receiving training in preparation for a CFR part 135 check ride in a float equipped airplane. The… ## Other investigations on N60859 (1) 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 ANC99LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA147), Sep 19, 1999: Cessna 185F (N60859), Pilot Point, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors in the accident were the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions, a downdraft, and swampy terrain. 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.