# NTSB SEA84LA028: Cessna A-185F II, N8344Q, Driggs, ID, December 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1983, 08:05 local (15:05 UTC)
- Place: Driggs, ID
- Coordinates: 43.73014, -111.220275 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7301&lon=-111.2203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39857
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39857/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA028

## 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
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport snow removal - inadequate, airport personnel (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A HIDDEN SNOW BERM WHILE LANDING ON A SNOW COVERED RWY. THE NEW SNOW WAS 2 TO 3 INCHES DEEP OVER A COMPACTED SNOW BASE. THE RWY WAS PLOWED TO A WIDTH OF 30 TO 35 FT WITH 3 FT BERMS. THE PLT STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED A WHITEOUT DURING LANDING AND THE ACFT STRUCK A BERM DURING ROLLOUT. HE LOST CONTROL AND THE LEFT WING AND STABILIZER WERE DAMAGED. THE PLT DID NOT RECEIVE A WEATHER BRIEFING AND NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8344Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A-185F II
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503663
- Airframe hours: 1691
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis A. Hanson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 7, 1983
- Departed: U11, REXBURG, ID
- Destination: U59, DRIGGS, ID
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: U59, Teton Peaks, runway 21, 5,200 × 75 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 19 °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 19831226063609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831226063609A), Dec 26, 1983: Cessna A185F, Driggs, ID, Substantial damage. Left main gear ran into a snow berm on landing. Narrow plowed area on runway blended into area of snow berms.

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.

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