# NTSB ANC98LA030: Cessna 185E, N1987U, Anchorage, AK, March 24, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 24, 1998, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.21067, -149.890731 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2107&lon=-149.8907&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3123 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3123/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA030 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions during landing. A factor was the crosswind. ## 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) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 6 in a tailwheel-equipped airplane on the paved runway. Wind conditions at the time of the accident were 016 at 7 knots. The pilot stated that the airplane bounced slightly and settled onto the right main tire. The right main wheel 'grabbed' as it made contact with the runway, and the airplane ground looped to the left. During the ground loop, the right wing, aileron, and right elevator struck the runway and sustained substantial damage. ## Factual narrative On March 24, 1998, about 1045 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 185E airplane, N1987U, sustained substantial damage while landing at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Merrill Field at 1010. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on March 24, 1998 at 1100, the pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 06, which required a correction for a left cross wind. The pilot stated that on the accident landing, the airplane bounced slightly and settled onto the right main tire. The right main wheel "grabbed" as it made contact with the runway, and the airplane ground looped to the left. During the ground loop, the right wing, aileron, and right elevator struck the runway and sustained substantial damage. Merrill Field weather observation at the time of the accident consisted of: Sky conditions and ceiling, 5,500 broken, 9,000 overcast; visibility, 10 statute miles; wind, 016 degrees (magnetic) at 7 knots. The pilot noted in his written report to the NTSB that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1987U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1987U-2012-08-20), registration cancelled 2012-08-20, S/N 18501745, built 1970 (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: 18501745 - Airframe hours: 6040 - Engines: Continental IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jeff Dursen - Registered owner: Passage Air Service LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 1998, 9 hours before - Airport: MRI, Merrill Field, runway 6, 3,999 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,118 total, 23 in this make and model, 1,069 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 16° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MRI ## 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 19980324006869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980324006869A), Mar 24, 1998: Cessna A185E, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Touch and go on 06. Reported right wheel locked on touchdown. Ground looped. (.4)the pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 6 in a… ## Other investigations on N1987U (2) 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 ANC02LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA119), Sep 11, 2002: Cessna 185 (N1987U), Mc Grath, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. A factor associated with the accident was a variable wind condition. - [NTSB ANC98LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA132), Aug 30, 1998: Cessna 185E (N1987U), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent ground loop/swerve. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. 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.