# NTSB ANC97LA125: Cessna 185, N3RY, Karluk, AK, August 19, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1997, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Karluk, AK
- Location: 57.5719° N, 154.4556° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Karluk, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.5719&lon=-154.4556&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3047
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3047/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA125

## Probable cause

the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing.  Related factors were: the direct left crosswind, and the soft sand.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The tundra tire equipped airplane landed on the beach with a direct, left, crosswind. The left main landing gear contacted soft sand, and the airplane veered left. The left wing contacted the ground, and the airplane nosed over.

## Factual narrative

On August 19, 1997 at 1330 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 185 airplane, N3RY, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during a beach landing on the Ayakulik River, twenty three miles south of Karluk, Alaska, at position 57-12.0 degrees north latitude, 154-32.0 degrees west longitude.  The airplane was equipped with 29 inch tundra tires.  The commercial certificated pilot and two passengers were uninjured.  One passenger sustained minor injuries.  The airplane was operated by Whistler Air Service, Inc., of Fritz Creek, Alaska.  The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 135 as an on-demand air taxi to deliver the passengers to a fishing lodge.  The flight originated from Larsen Bay, Alaska, at 1310.  Visual meteorological condition prevailed at the time of the accident, and a VFR flight plan was on file with the FAA Kenai, Alaska, Flight Service Station.

During a telephone interview with the NTSB on August 19, 1997, the pilot indicated that he was landing to the north, one wheel track distance inside of the beach crown.  The winds were a direct, left crosswind of 20 knots.  The pilot stated that during his landing roll, the left tire contacted soft sand, and the airplane veered left.  He said that the rudder became noneffective and the right wing came up. The left wingtip subsequently dragged the ground, and the airplane nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3RY (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 185
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185-02645
- Airframe hours: 5064
- Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Whistler Air Service
- Registered owner: William Blake Larue
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 26, 1997, 40 hours before
- Departed: 09AK, LARSEN BAY, AK
- Destination: AYAKULIK RIVER, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,400 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ODK, 45 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 19970819023029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970819023029A), Aug 19, 1997: Cessna A185F, Karluk, AK, Substantial damage. Crashed on landing. (.4)the tundra tire equipped airplane landed on the beach with a direct, left, crosswind. The left main landing gear contacted soft sand,…

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.

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