Summary
On August 31, 1997, a Cessna 185F (N93276) was involved in an incident near Kotzebue, AK. All 2 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 selection of an unsuitable landing area. A factor was the short length of the off-airport site.
On August 30, 1997, at 1950 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna 185F airplane, N93276, was substantially damaged when its right wing and right horizontal stabilizer contacted terrain at the end of an off-airport landing site, 28 miles northeast of Kotzebue, Alaska, at position 67-35 degrees north latitude, 161-47 west longitude. The commercial certificated pilot and one passenger were uninjured. The airplane was operated by Mavrik Aire of Soldotna, Alaska. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a business flight preparing camps for the upcoming hunting season.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC97LA136. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N93276.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. A factor was the short length of the off-airport site.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On August 30, 1997, at 1950 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna 185F airplane, N93276, was substantially damaged when its right wing and right horizontal stabilizer contacted terrain at the end of an off-airport landing site, 28 miles northeast of Kotzebue, Alaska, at position 67-35 degrees north latitude, 161-47 west longitude. The commercial certificated pilot and one passenger were uninjured. The airplane was operated by Mavrik Aire of Soldotna, Alaska. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a business flight preparing camps for the upcoming hunting season. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a flight plan was filed with a local lodge owner.
During an interview with the NTSB investigator, the pilot stated that he and an employee were landing at the 600 feet long x 75 feet wide site, in calm winds, and were not able to stop before reaching the end. The terrain steeply dropped off at the end of the landing area. The pilot attempted to ground loop the airplane to the left, the airplane tipped up on the right wing, and the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer struck the ground.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC97LA136