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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 31, 1993 · Cessna 185F · N185TD

Gustavus, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 31, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Gustavus, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 185F
Tail Number
N185TD
Operator
Carpenter Peter F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC93LA075

THE PILOT STATED HE WAS USING FULL FLAPS AND AN APPROACH SPEED OF 65 KTS. HE TOUCHED DOWN 400 FT BEYOND THE THRESHOLD OF THE 1200-FT STRIP. HE REPORTED THE BRAKING ACTION AS 'NIL' ON THE WET GRASS. THE AIRPLANE OVERRAN THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP AND STRUCK A DITCH, COLLAPSING THE MAIN LANDING GEAR. THE PILOT OPERATOR'S HANDBOOK SUPPLEMENT FOR THE ROBERTSON STOL CONVERSION STATES THAT THE NORMAL GROUND ROLL IS 310 FT WITH FULL FLAPS, 58 KTS INDICATED AT 50 FT, AND HEAVY BRAKING ON HARD SURFACED RUNWAYS, AND THAT THIS DISTANCE SHOULD BE INCREASE BY 20% FOR DRY GRASS RUNWAYS.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGING HIS SPEED WHILE LANDING ON A WET GRASS STRIP.

Full Narrative

On May 31, 1993, at 1130 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N185TD, registered to and operated by the Pilot in Command, over ran the runway at the Glacier Bay Country Inn Airstrip located near Gustavus, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, last departed the Glacier Bay Country Inn Airstrip for a local flight. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The Private Certificated Pilot in Command and the passenger were not injured and the airplane received substantial damage. According to the Pilot in Command, the grass strip was wet and he landed approximately 400 feet beyond the threshold of the 1200 foot long airstrip. The airplane was STOL equipped. He stated that there was no braking effect on the wet grass and the airplane slid off the end of the airstrip, struck a ditch and collapsed the gear and damaged the wing. According to the Pilot Operating Handbook Supplement (POHS 10-6), furnished by Robertson when an airplane is modified with a Robertson STOL kit under Supplemental Type Certificate SA1441WE, the Robertson NORMAL landing data at a gross weight of 3350 pounds, 40 degree (full) flaps, 58 knots at 50 feet above the ground at sea level pressure and 59 degrees Fahrenheit temperature, the ground roll should be 310 feet and 890 feet to clear a 50 foot obstacle. The note section states that the distances are based on zero wind, power off, and heavy braking. It also states that for operation on "dry, grass" runways, to increase the distances for both the ground roll and total to clear 50 foot obstacle by 20% of the "total to clear 50 foot." According to the Pilot in Command, he was using full flaps, and an approach speed of 65 knots indicated. He touched down 400 feet beyond the threshold of a 1200 foot airstrip which left 800 feet remaining. The grass was wet and he stated the braking action was "nil." By applying the POHS information, the airplane should have had a ground roll of 362 feet. However, the POHS does not show what increase in ground roll should be applied when the grass is wet or when a higher approach speed is used.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 AKDT
Nearest AirportGlacier Bay Country Inn (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length1222 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 185F
Tail NumberN185TD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCarpenter Peter F
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data