# NTSB GAA17CA147: Cessna A185, N185AE, Fairbanks, AK, February 19, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 18, 2017, 17:08 local (Feb 19, 2017, 02:08 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.815002, -147.856384 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8150&lon=-147.8564&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 7, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 94746 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94746/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94746 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA147 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate glidepath to the runway and to use the vertical guidance system. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of available resources](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063035/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md) - [Light condition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036000/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the first landing of a currency flight, he "never realized he was low on the approach" and that the airplane impacted a snow-covered area short of the asphalt runway and nosed over. He added that the flight was conducted in "reduced light conditions" and that he "did not recognize the conditions as being flat light." The vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The National Weather Service reported that the sun set about 25 minutes after the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration Chart Supplement stated, in part, that the landing runway was equipped with a precision approach path indicator. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the first landing of a currency flight, he "never realized he was low on the approach" and impacted a snow covered area short of the asphalt runway and nosed over. He added that the flight was conducted in "reduced light conditions" and he "did not recognize the conditions as being flat light." The vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The National Weather Service recorded a sunset time about 25 minutes after the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration Chart Supplement stated in part that the landing runway was equipped with a precision approach path indicator (PAPI). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N185AE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N185AE), registered now, S/N 18502125, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185 (F) - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18502125 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 2853.5 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D24 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2016 - Departed: FAI, Fairbanks, AK - Destination: FAI, Fairbanks, AK - Airport: FAI, Fairbanks Intl, runway 20L, 6,501 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review September 1, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,952 total, 46 in this make and model, 1,888 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 7 °F, dew point -0 °F - Altimeter: 29.62 inHg - Observed at: PAFA ## 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 20170218002919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170218002919A), Feb 18, 2017: Cessna A185F, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. The accident pilot took off without problems and flew for approximately 20 minutes. He lined up with runway 20L to land. Runway 20L is paved and was clear of… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 3, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94746. 414 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 257 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453764&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451676&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - FAA Chart Supplement PAFA (item 3, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451677&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Chart%20Supplement%20PAFA-Master.PDF 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.