# NTSB GAA17CA439: Cessna A185, N5227R, Arctic Village, AK, July 22, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 22, 2017, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Arctic Village, AK - Coordinates: 68.133888, -145.553894 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=68.1339&lon=-145.5539&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 27, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95668 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA439 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95668/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95668 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA439 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control after an aborted takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 75 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: 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 of the float-equipped airplane reported that he aborted the takeoff after the airspeed dropped 3 knots before coming up on the step. He added that, as the airplane approached a bend in the river, he applied left rudder but could not overcome the crosswind and current. The right float impacted the beach, the airplane turned perpendicularly, and then the left wing impacted the beach. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, he aborted the takeoff after the airspeed dropped 3 knots before coming up on the step. He added that as the airplane approached a bend in the river, he applied left rudder but could not overcome the crosswind and current. The right float impacted the beach, the airplane turned perpendicular, and the left wing impacted the beach. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5227R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5227R), registered now, S/N 18503023, built 1976 (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: 18503023 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 6128 - Engines: Continental IO-550-D20B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 13, 2016 - Departed: Arctic Village, AK - Destination: Sheenjek River, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: N/A, River - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Satellite tracking device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system, Video recording device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; flight engineer, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, waiver time limited special; last flight review June 28, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 30,067 total, 2,086 in this make and model, 19,284 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 10 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.65 inHg - Observed at: PARC, 1 nm away ## 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 20170722015569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170722015569A), Jul 22, 2017: Cessna A185F, Arctic Village, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was taking off from the chandalar river next to Arctic Village. The aircraft was on floats. There was a slight cross wind. During takeoff roll he… ## Other investigations on N5227R (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 ANC86LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA140), Aug 30, 1986: Cessna 182 (N5227R), Iliamna, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 1, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95668. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460436&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 387 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460437&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.