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NTSB Report
December 21, 1988 · Cessna 185 · N70087
Porcupine Lodge, AK
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 21, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Porcupine Lodge, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 185
Tail Number
N70087
Operator
Yukon Air Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC89LA026
THE AIRCRAFT WAS TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF ON THE FROZEN PORCUPINE RIVER IN RURAL ALASKA WHEN THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR BROKE THROUGH THE RIVER ICE, ALLOWING THE RIGHT WING TO STRIKE THE ICE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD LANDED ON THE RIVER NEAR THE PORCUPINE LODGE AT A SITE THAT HAD BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE OPERATOR OF THE LODGE AS A LANDING SITE. HE EXPERIENCED NO PROBLEMS DURING THE LANDING, AND ASSUMED THAT THE ICE WAS THICK ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF HIS AIRPLANE. DURING THE TAXI DOWNSTREAM FOR TAKEOFF, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR TIRE AND SKI BROKE THROUGH THE ICE INTO APPROXIMATELY FOUR FEET OF WATER.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCRAFT WAS TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF ON THE FROZEN PORCUPINE RIVER IN RURAL ALASKA WHEN THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR BROKE THROUGH THE RIVER ICE, ALLOWING THE RIGHT WING TO STRIKE THE ICE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD LANDED ON THE RIVER NEAR THE PORCUPINE LODGE AT A SITE THAT HAD BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE OPERATOR OF THE LODGE AS A LANDING SITE. HE EXPERIENCED NO PROBLEMS DURING THE LANDING, AND ASSUMED THAT THE ICE WAS THICK ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF HIS AIRPLANE. DURING THE TAXI DOWNSTREAM FOR TAKEOFF, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR TIRE AND SKI BROKE THROUGH THE ICE INTO APPROXIMATELY FOUR FEET OF WATER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:40 AKST
Nearest AirportPorcupine River (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 185
Tail NumberN70087
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorYukon Air Service
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility35 sm
CeilingOvercast 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO