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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 3, 1997 · Cessna 185 · N185QB

Kotzebue, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 3, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Kotzebue, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 185
Tail Number
N185QB
Operator
Alaska Island Air
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC97LA144

The pilot was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane in a remote area. The airplane was equipped with oversize tundra type tires inflated to about 12 PSI. An adhesive, applied between the main wheel rim and the tire, helps to prevent the tire from rotating independent of the wheel. The pilot indicated that during the landing roll on grassy terrain, the right tire rotated away from the wheel rim. The tire deflated and began vibrating. The right main landing gear then collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground.

NTSB Probable Cause

The collapse/deflation of the right main tire when the tire slipped on the tire wheel rim which resulted in the collapse of the right main landing gear due to overload.

Full Narrative

On September 2, 1997, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna 185, N185QB, crashed during landing at a remote area, about 30 miles north of Kotzebue, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated airline transport pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, Fairbanks Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported the airplane was damaged during landing along the Squirrel River. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September, 9, 1997, at 1048, the pilot reported the airplane touched down in a grassy area. The airplane was equipped with oversize tires inflated to about 12 PSI. An adhesive, applied between the main wheel rim and the tire, helps to prevent the tire from rotating independent of the wheel. The pilot indicated that during the landing roll, the right tire rotated away from the wheel rim. The tire deflated and began vibrating. The right main landing gear then collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground. The pilot did not return a pilot/operator report (NTSB report 6120.1/2).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 185
Tail NumberN185QB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAlaska Island Air
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingOvercast 1500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data