# NTSB ANC98LA017: Cessna 185E, N4535F, Anchorage, AK, February 24, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 24, 1998, 15:34 local (19:34 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.160293, -149.989913 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1603&lon=-149.9899&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3112 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3112/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA017 ## Probable cause A separation of the axle from the landing gear strut due to overload, and stripping of the axle bolt threads. ## 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,axle - overload (cause) - miscellaneous,bolt/nut/fastener/clamp/spring - stripped thread (cause) - landing gear,wheel - separation ## Analysis The pilot landed the tailwheel-equipped airplane on a hard surface runway. The airplane was equipped with 29-inch tundra tires. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear wheel began to vibrate. The left wheel axle then broke, and the left wheel departed from the landing gear strut. The left wing tip struck the ground, and the airplane received damage to the left wing, left aileron, and the left elevator. The pilot stated the axle attaching bolts that secure the axle to the strut were stripped of their threads. ## Factual narrative On February 24, 1998, at 1534 Alaska standard time, a tailwheel equipped Cessna 185E airplane, N4535F, sustained substantial damage during the landing roll at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The commercial certificated pilot, and the two passengers were uninjured. The airplane is registered to, and operated by, the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight departed the Big Lake Airport, Big Lake, Alaska, about 1510. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on February 25, 1998, at 0920, the pilot reported he landed normally on the asphalt surface of runway 24 at Merrill Field. The airplane is equipped with large tundra tires. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear wheel began to vibrate. The left wheel axle then broke, and the left wheel departed from the landing gear strut. The left wing tip struck the ground, and the airplane received damage to the left wing, left aileron, and the left elevator. The pilot stated the axle attaching bolts that secure the axle to the strut, were stripped of their threads. In the pilot/operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, the form contains an optional entry for operator recommendations. The pilot included a recommendation to limit the use of 29 inch tires to non-paved surfaces. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4535F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4535F), registered now, S/N 185-1021, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185E - Registry model: [Cessna A185E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (registry code 2072818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 185-1021 - Airframe hours: 4658 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Allen G. Rohde - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1998, 2 hours before - Departed: BGQ, BIG LAKE, AK - Destination: MRI - Airport: MRI, Merrill Field, runway 24, 3,999 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 649 total, 66 in this make and model, 649 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MRI ## Other investigations on N4535F (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 ANC83LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA132), Jul 25, 1983: Cessna A185E (N4535F), Tyonek, 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.