# NTSB ANC98LA009: Cessna 185F, N61500, Barrow, AK, October 31, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 31, 1997, 15:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Barrow, AK - Coordinates: 71.279655, -156.779296 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=71.2797&lon=-156.7793&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (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): 3105 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3105/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA009 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, and his delay in aborting the takeoff. A factor in the accident was the presence of gravel/sand in the takeoff area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - snow covered - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot and sole passenger were departing a remote camp airstrip in a wheel/ski-equipped airplane on an air taxi flight. The airstrip was 1,200 feet long. The pilot calculated a required takeoff distance of 800 feet. During the takeoff run in an uphill direction, the airplane skis encountered sandy surface conditions, and the airplane did not accelerate as anticipated. The takeoff run was continued beyond the end of the runway onto the frozen surface of a river. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff, and closed the throttle. The airplane collided with the river bank and received damage to the landing gear and wings. ## Factual narrative On October 31, 1997, about 1540 Alaska standard time, a wheel/ski equipped Cessna 185F, N61500, sustained substantial damage during an aborted takeoff from a remote camp, about 83 miles southeast of Barrow, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand passenger flight under Title 14 CFR Part 135 when the accident occurred. The airplane was registered to and operated by Cape Smythe Air Service Inc., Barrow. The certificated commercial pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The operator reported the pilot was departing with the skis selected. The camp airstrip, known locally as Chip 12, is 1,200 feet long. The pilot calculated a required takeoff distance of 800 feet. During the takeoff run in an uphill direction, the airplane skis encountered sandy surface conditions, and the airplane did not accelerate as anticipated. The takeoff run was continued beyond the end of the runway, onto the frozen surface of the Chip River. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff, and closed the throttle. The airplane collided with the river bank, and received damage to the landing gear and wings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61500](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61500-1998-04-15), registration cancelled 1998-04-15, S/N 18504217 (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: 18504217 - Airframe hours: 4106 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Cape Smythe Air Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 29, 1997, 79 hours before - Destination: BRW, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: Chip 12, runway 7, 1,200 × 25 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,700 total, 230 in this make and model, 2,400 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: -8 °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 19971031038939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971031038939A), Oct 31, 1997: Cessna A185F, Barron, AK, Substantial damage. Departing snow covered gravel bar on skis. Failed lift. Struck river bank. Misjudged distance and over gross. ## Other investigations on N61500 (3) 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 ANC93LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA044), Mar 14, 1993: Cessna 185 (N61500), Barrow, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT IN COMMAND INADVERTENTLY STALLING THE AIRPLANE. - [NTSB ANC88LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA145), Sep 21, 1988: Cessna 185F (N61500), Chip River, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC85LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA088), Jun 1, 1985: Cessna A185F (N61500), Alaktak, AK, substantial 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.