# NTSB ANC98LA089: Cessna 185E, N4574F, Iliamna, AK, July 1, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 1998, 11:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: Iliamna, AK - Coordinates: 59.849563, -154.56047 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8496&lon=-154.5605&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 43060 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43060/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA089 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were a crosswind and the pilot's lack of recent experience in a tailwheel airplane. ## 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) - lack of recent experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis The certificated airline transport pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 17 in a tailwheel airplane. He stated that at the time of the accident, he inadvertently failed to meet the pilot-in-command requirements for a tailwheel airplane. The pilot rated passenger, seated in the right seat, was not a certificated flight instructor. The pilot stated that wind conditions at the time of the accident were varied, and were last reported to be from 090 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot stated that just after touchdown, the airplane veered to the right. He said that he applied left rudder in an attempt to maintain heading, but the airplane continued to the right. He stated that upon reaching the edge of the runway, he applied the brakes, and the left wheel lost traction in loose gravel. He said that the right wheel maintained traction, and the airplane ground looped to the right. During the ground loop, the left wing, aileron, and left elevator struck the runway and sustained substantial damage. At 1153, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting in part: Wind, 159 degrees (magnetic) at 7 knots. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 1998, about 1120 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna 185E airplane, N4574F, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Iliamna Airport, Iliamna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a local area, visual flight rules (VFR) flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airline transport pilot, and the pilot rated passenger aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator the pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go landings in a tailwheel airplane. He stated that at the time of the accident, he inadvertently failed to meet the 90 day pilot-in-command currency requirements for a tailwheel airplane. The pilot rated passenger, seated in the right seat, was not a certificated flight instructor. In his written statement to the NTSB dated July 14, 1998, the pilot reported that that wind conditions at the time of the accident were varied, and were last reported to be from 090 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot stated that just after touchdown on runway 17, the airplane veered to the right. He said that he applied left rudder in an attempt to maintain heading, but the airplane continued to the right. He stated that upon reaching the edge of the runway, he applied the brakes, and the left wheel lost traction in loose gravel. The right wheel maintained traction, and the airplane ground looped to the right. During the ground loop, the left wing, aileron, and left elevator struck the runway and sustained substantial damage. The closest official weather observation station is Iliamna. On July 1, 1998, at 1153, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting in part: Sky conditions and ceiling, 2,900 feet overcast; visibility, 10 statute miles; wind, 159 degrees (magnetic) at 7 knots. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4574F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4574F), registered now, S/N 185-1081, 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: 185-1081 - Airframe hours: 931 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 lbs thrust reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Iliaska Lodge, Inc., doing business as Iliaska Lodge - Registered owner: Arthur E. Gerken - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 1998, 21 hours before - Airport: ILI, Iliamna, runway 17, 4,800 × 150 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,520 total, 224 in this make and model, 6,856 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 159° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ILI ## 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 19980701023959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980701023959A), Jul 1, 1998: Cessna A185E, Iliamna, AK, Substantial damage. (.4)The certificated airline transport pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 17 in a tailwheel airplane. He stated that at the time of the… 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.