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June 30, 2002 · Cessna 185 · N1078F

Skwentna, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 30, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Skwentna, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 185
Tail Number
N1078F
Operator
Richard C Lathrop
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC02LA065

The commercial certificated pilot was landing the tundra tire-equipped airplane at an airstrip next to a remote lodge. The dirt surface airstrip is oriented north/south, and is about 1,200 feet long by 20 feet wide. The pilot said he was landing toward the north, and touched down about two feet short of the airstrip threshold. The right main landing gear struck a log stump that was concealed by bushes, just short of the threshold. The right main gear was torn off the airplane, and the right wing struck the ground.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point resulting in an undershoot, and an in-flight collision with a log during the landing flare. A contributing factor in the accident was a hidden obstruction.

Full Narrative

On June 30, 2002, about 0930 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N1078F, sustained substantial damage when the right main landing gear struck a log during landing at a remote airstrip, about 19 miles south of Skwentna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The commercial certificated pilot, and the two passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Lake Hood Strip, Anchorage, Alaska, at 0900. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on June 30, the pilot reported that he was landing at an airstrip next to the Talaheim Lodge, located along the Talachulitna River. The dirt surface airstrip is oriented north/south, and is about 1,200 feet long by 20 feet wide. The pilot said he was landing toward the north, and touched down about two feet short of the airstrip threshold. The right main landing gear struck a log stump that was concealed by bushes, just short of the threshold. The right main gear was torn off the airplane, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane received damage to the right gear, fuselage, right wingtip, and the right elevator.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 AKDT
Nearest AirportTalaheim Lodge (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length1200 ft
Runway Width20 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 185
Tail NumberN1078F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRichard C Lathrop
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 5 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data