# NTSB ANC97LA131: Cessna 185F, N20752, Barrow, AK, August 25, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 1997, 11:58 local (19:58 UTC) - Place: Barrow, AK - Coordinates: 71.279876, -156.780303 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=71.2799&lon=-156.7803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 13, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3052 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3052/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA131 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in a ground swerve and damage to the airplane. A factor relating to the accident was: the crosswind condition. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve ## Analysis The pilot was landing a tailwheel equipped airplane in a remote area of tundra to pick up several passengers. The landing was to the west, and the wind was reported to be from the north at 20 to 25 knots. During the landing roll, the airplane began to veer to right. The pilot's application of left brake did not correct the turn. The airplane ground looped, and the left wing struck the ground. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 1997, about 1158 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna 185F airplane, N20752, crashed during landing at a remote area, about 61 miles east of Barrow, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) positioning flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Cape Symthe Air Service Inc., Barrow, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Wiley Post/Will Rogers Memorial Airport, Barrow, at 1122. The operator reported the flight departed for a small fishing camp to pick up several passengers. On August 27, 1997, at 0935, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), he was landing in an area of wet tundra that contained small patches of snow. The area for the landing was oriented east/west. The pilot was landing toward the west, and indicated the wind was from the north at 20 to 25 knots. During the landing roll, the airplane began to veer to right. The pilot's application of left brake did not correct the turn. The airplane ground looped, and the left wing struck the ground. The closest official weather observation station is Barrow, Alaska, which is located 61 nautical miles west of the accident site. On August 25, 1997, at 1154, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting in part: Wind, 070 degrees (true) at 24 knots, gusts to 30 knots; visibility, 7 statute miles; clouds, 1,500 feet overcast; temperature, 32 degrees F; dew point, 24 degrees F; altimeter, 30.04 inHg; remarks, peak wind, 070 degrees at 31 knots, gusts to 37 knots, breaks in the overcast. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N20752](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20752), registered now, S/N 18503041, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185F - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18503041 - Airframe hours: 4279 - Engines: Continental IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Cape Smythe Air Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 16, 1997, 75 hours before - Departed: BRW, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 200 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft broken - Temperature: 32 °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 19970825025769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970825025769A), Aug 25, 1997: Cessna A185F, Barrow, AK, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot was landing a tailwheel equipped airplane in a remote area of tundra to pick up several passengers. The landing was to the west, and the wind was… ## Other investigations on N20752 (7) 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 ANC00LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA099), Aug 12, 2000: Cessna 185F (N20752), Barrow, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor in the accident was a hidden obstruction, and soft terrain. - [NTSB ANC96LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA114), Aug 2, 1996: Cessna 185 (N20752), Wainwright, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive application of the brakes during the landing roll. - [NTSB ANC95LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA003), Oct 15, 1994: Cessna A185F (N20752), Kotzebue, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: A FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE DISTANCE FROM THE TERRAIN (SNOW BANK). FLAT LIGHTING AND LOW CONTRAST CONDITIONS WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT. - [NTSB ANC93LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA147), Aug 14, 1993: Cessna 185 (N20752), Point Barrow, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: FUEL EXHAUSTION AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S NOT REFUELING. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE OPERATOR/MANAGEMENT INADEQUATE FLIGHT FOLLOWING AND OPERATIONAL CONTROL OVER THE FLIGHT. - [NTSB ANC93LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA016), Nov 28, 1992: Cessna 185 (N20752), Point Hope, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE NO. TWO CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD DUE TO A SLIPPED (SPUN) MAIN CRANKSHAFT BEARING WHICH BLOCKED OFF THE OIL HOLE TO THE CONNECTING ROD. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE… - [NTSB ANC92LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA067), May 3, 1992: Cessna C-A185F (N20752), Barrow, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE IMPROPER USE OF THE FLT CONTROLS BY THE SECOND PILOT DURING LANDING ROLL. FACTORS RELATING TO THE MISHAP WERE THE ROUGH/UNEVEN SNOW COVERED TERRAIN. - [NTSB ANC89IA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89IA019), Nov 22, 1988: Cessna A185F (N20752), Deadhorse, AK, incident, no 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.