# NTSB ANC98LA034: Cessna 185F, N1205F, Coldfoot, AK, April 3, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 3, 1998, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Coldfoot, AK - Coordinates: 64.810249, -147.720565 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8102&lon=-147.7206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3127 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3127/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA034 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff. Soft, snow covered terrain was a factor in the accident. ## Analysis The pilot, and two passengers, were taxiing for takeoff in a wheel/ski equipped, tailwheel airplane. The flight was a VFR air taxi flight from a remote lake. The landing/departure area was about 3,500 feet long, and covered by soft snow. As the pilot began to taxi, he noticed the snow was softer than anticipated, so he began several taxi runs to pack down the snow for takeoff. During a turn, the right ski encountered soft snow and sank. The right wing struck the snow, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the right wing, and propeller. ## Factual narrative On April 3, 1998, about 1900 Alaska standard time, a wheel/ski equipped Cessna 185F airplane, N1205F, sustained substantial damage while taxiing for a takeoff from a remote lake, about 50 miles northeast of Coldfoot, 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 the pilot, and operated by North Quest Aviation, North Pole, Alaska. The certificated commercial pilot, and the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on April 6, 1998, at 1050, the pilot reported he landed at Squaw Lake about 1830. The landing/departure area was about 3,500 feet long. He loaded his passengers and began to taxi for takeoff from a mining camp. The snow was softer than anticipated, so the pilot began several taxi runs to pack down the snow for takeoff. During a turn, the right ski encountered soft snow and sank. The right wing struck the snow, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the right wing, and propeller. Company personnel reported the flight was overdue, and a search was initiated. Search personnel located the accident site on 4/4/98. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, taxi ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1205F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1205F-2012-07-16), registration cancelled 2012-07-16, S/N 18502768, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185F - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 185-02768 - Airframe hours: 3679 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: North Quest Aviation - Registered owner: William E. Anker - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1998, 29 hours before - Destination: WCR, CHANDALAR LAKE, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 971 total, 146 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 138 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °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 19980403005449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980403005449A), Apr 3, 1998: Cessna A185F, Coldfoot, AK, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot, and two passengers, were taxiing for takeoff in a wheel/ski equipped, tailwheel airplane. The flight was a VFR air taxi flight from a remote… ## Other investigations on N1205F (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 ANC00LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA103), Aug 17, 2000: Cessna 185 (N1205F), Kaktovik, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area on the airstrip. Factors associated with this accident were the rough takeoff area, and the pilot's loss of directional control. 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.