# NTSB ANC98LA106: Cessna 185, N5892T, Kenai, AK, July 23, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 23, 1998, 13:05 local (21:05 UTC) - Place: Kenai, AK - Coordinates: 60.659023, -150.900421 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6590&lon=-150.9004&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 28, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 43539 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43539/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA106 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The pilot reported that just after receiving a clearance for takeoff, a request was made by the tower operator to 'expedite' the departure due to inbound traffic. The pilot said that during the departure roll, and as the airplane was nearing takeoff speed, the airplane veered uncontrollably to the left, went off the left side of the runway, and ground looped to the left. During the ground loop, the right wing and aileron struck the ground, and sustained substantial damage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On July 23, 1998, about 1305 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N5892T, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from the Kenai Municipal Airport, Kenai, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated airline transport pilot, and the three passengers aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was returning to Anchorage, Alaska, where it had departed about 0930. In his written statement to the NTSB dated July 29, 1998, the pilot reported that just after receiving a clearance for takeoff, the tower operator requested that he "expedite" the departure due to inbound traffic. He said that during the departure roll, and as the airplane was nearing takeoff speed, the airplane veered uncontrollably to the left, went off the left side of the runway, and ground looped to the left. During the ground loop, the right wing, and aileron struck the ground and sustained substantial damage. The closest official weather observation station is Kenai. On July 23, 1998, at 1247, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting in part: Wind, 017 degrees (magnetic) at 5 knots; visibility, 70 statute miles; clouds, 4,000 feet scattered, 1,500 feet broken; temperature, 66 degrees F; dew point, 46 degrees F; altimeter, 29.76 inHg. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5892T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5892T), registered now, S/N 185-0792, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185 - Registry model: [Cessna 185D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185d) (registry code 2072812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 185-0792 - Airframe hours: 5299 - Engines: Continental IO-470F 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Martin W. Carlson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1998, 38 hours before - Destination: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK - Airport: ENA, Kenai, runway 1, 7,575 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; flight engineer, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 19,000 total, 118 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 17° at 5 knots - Visibility: 70 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PAE ## 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 19980723017049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980723017049A), Jul 23, 1998: Cessna 185D, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. Turning onto runway for takeoff. Wind gust pushed tail to right. Exited runway to left. Ground looped. (.4)the certificated airline transport pilot was… ## Other investigations on N5892T (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 GAA16CA503](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA503), Sep 22, 2016: Cessna 185 (N5892T), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to recognize he was taking off with a tailwind and his inadequate compensation for taking off with a tailwind, which led to the airplane’s failure to attain a climb and a… - [NTSB ANC66A0042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC66A0042), May 2, 1966: Cessna 185 (N5892T), Anchorage, 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.