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NTSB Report

June 12, 1993 · Cessna 185 · N8536L

Arctic Village, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 12, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Arctic Village, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 185
Tail Number
N8536L
Operator
Klawitter Mike
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC93LA088

THE PILOT MADE SEVERAL LOW PASSES OVER A FROZEN LAKE AND BOUNCED THE GEAR ON THE SURFACE TO CHECK THE CONDITION OF THE ICE. HE THEN ELECTED TO LAND ON THE LAKE. DURING THE LAST 100 FEET OF THE LANDING ROLLOUT, THE MAIN LANDING GEAR TIRES BEGAN TO CUT A GROOVE IN THE ICE. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY SANK IN APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET OF WATER.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A LANDING. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE SOFT/THIN (WEAK) ICE CONDITION OF THE LAKE SURFACE.

Full Narrative

On June 12, 1993, at 0930 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N8536L, owned and operated by the pilot in command, sank through the ice on Porcupine Lake during the landing rollout. The accident site is approximately 97 nautical miles southeast of Deadhorse (Prudhoe Bay), Alaska. The pilot and the two passengers on board were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight departed Shader Lake earlier that same morning under the general aviation flight rules of 14 CFR Part 91 for the purpose of a day fishing trip when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed with the Barrow Flight Service Station. During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator in charge on the morning of June 13, 1993, the pilot reported that he made several low passes over the lake to check the condition of the ice and that on one of the passes he bounced one of the main landing gear tires on the ice. During the last 100 feet of the landing rollout, the main landing gear tires began to cut a groove in the ice and the airplane began to sink. The pilot estimated the airplane was submerged in approximately 30 feet of water.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 185
Tail NumberN8536L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKlawitter Mike
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 5 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data