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NTSB Report
April 12, 1989 · Cessna 185 · N9850X
Trinity Lake, AK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 12, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Trinity Lake, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 185
Tail Number
N9850X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC89LA058
THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A LATE AFTERNOON LANDING AT AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING SITE ON A SNOW COVERED LAKE. SHORTLY AFTER TOUCH DOWN, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SKI BECAME DETACHED FROM THE GEAR LEG. THE GEAR LEG WENT THROUGH THE SNOW AND INTO THE ICE BELOW, COLLAPSING THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR IN THE PROCESS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE SNOW CONDITIONS WERE EXTREMELY WET, AND THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE RIGHT MAIN SKI BECAME MIRED IN THE HEAVY SNOW, ULTIMATELY CAUSING THE SKI ATTACHMENT BOLTS TO FAIL AND ALLOWING THE GEAR LEG TO STRIKE THE ICE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH TO LAND.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A LATE AFTERNOON LANDING AT AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING SITE ON A SNOW COVERED LAKE. SHORTLY AFTER TOUCH DOWN, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SKI BECAME DETACHED FROM THE GEAR LEG. THE GEAR LEG WENT THROUGH THE SNOW AND INTO THE ICE BELOW, COLLAPSING THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR IN THE PROCESS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE SNOW CONDITIONS WERE EXTREMELY WET, AND THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE RIGHT MAIN SKI BECAME MIRED IN THE HEAVY SNOW, ULTIMATELY CAUSING THE SKI ATTACHMENT BOLTS TO FAIL AND ALLOWING THE GEAR LEG TO STRIKE THE ICE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 185
Tail NumberN9850X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
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 47 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 5 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO