Summary
On May 03, 1996, a Cessna 185 (N70039) was involved in an incident near Kodiak, AK. All 3 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the soft terrain at the landing site, and a crosswind.
On May 3, 1996, at 0830 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N70039, registered to and operated by the pilot, ground looped and nosed over during an off airport landing on the beach near Big River, Alaska, at geographic coordinates, 58 degrees, 35.6 minutes north, 153 degrees, 53 minutes west. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed the beach at Whiskey Gulch located near Deep Creek, Alaska, and the destination was the location of the accident. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC96LA068. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N70039.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the soft terrain at the landing site, and a crosswind.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On May 3, 1996, at 0830 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N70039, registered to and operated by the pilot, ground looped and nosed over during an off airport landing on the beach near Big River, Alaska, at geographic coordinates, 58 degrees, 35.6 minutes north, 153 degrees, 53 minutes west. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed the beach at Whiskey Gulch located near Deep Creek, Alaska, and the destination was the location of the accident. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated private pilot and the two passengers were not injured and the airplane received substantial damage.
During a telephone interview with the pilot on May 4, 1996, he stated that he was landing on the beach to the north and he had a crosswind from the left. As the airplane slowed to 15 to 20 knots, he stated he felt the right wheel start dragging. The airplane then ground looped and nosed over.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC96LA068