# NTSB ANC97LA144: Cessna 185, N185QB, Kotzebue, AK, September 3, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1997, 17:00 local (Sep 3, 1997, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Kotzebue, AK
- Coordinates: 67.240699, -161.190063 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2407&lon=-161.1901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 6, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3064
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3064/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA144

## Probable cause

The collapse/deflation of the right main tire when the tire slipped on the tire wheel rim which resulted in the collapse of the right main landing gear due to overload.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,tire - slipped (cause)
  - landing gear,tire - collapsed (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

The pilot was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane in a remote area.  The airplane was equipped with oversize tundra type tires inflated to about 12 PSI.  An adhesive, applied between the main wheel rim and the tire, helps to prevent the tire from rotating independent of the wheel.  The pilot indicated that during the landing roll on grassy terrain, the right tire rotated away from the wheel rim.  The tire deflated and began vibrating.  The right main landing gear then collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground.

## Factual narrative

On September 2, 1997, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna 185, N185QB, crashed during landing at a remote area, about 30 miles north of Kotzebue, 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 airline transport pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, Fairbanks Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported the airplane was damaged during landing along the Squirrel River.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September, 9, 1997, at 1048, the pilot reported the airplane touched down in a grassy area.  The airplane was equipped with oversize tires inflated to about 12 PSI.  An adhesive, applied between the main wheel rim and the tire, helps to prevent the tire from rotating independent of the wheel.  The pilot indicated that during the landing roll, the right tire rotated away from the wheel rim.  The tire deflated and began vibrating.  The right main landing gear then collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground.

The pilot did not return a pilot/operator report (NTSB report 6120.1/2).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N185QB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N185QB), registered now, S/N 185-0131 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 185
- Registry model: [Cessna 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185) (registry code 2072802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185-0131
- Engines: Continental IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Alaska Island Air
- Registered owner: Michael A. Spisak
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: OTZ, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast

## 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 19970902025739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970902025739A), Sep 2, 1997: Cessna 185, Kotzebue, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed on landing. (.4)the pilot was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane in a remote area . The airplane was equipped with oversize tundra type…

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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