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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

July 29, 2003 · Cessna 185 · N913SM

Tyonek, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 29, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Tyonek, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 185
Tail Number
N913SM
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC03LA086

The solo private pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings on a remote lake in a float-equipped airplane. During the accident landing, the airplane veered left, the left float submerged, the left wing struck the water, and the airplane nosed down and sank. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. According to the pilot, there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a swerve and nose down.

Full Narrative

On July 29, 2003, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N913SM, sustained substantial damage when the left wing struck the water following a loss of control during landing on a remote lake, located about 28 miles northwest of Tyonek, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated about 1430 from another remote lake located about 36 miles northwest of Tyonek. No flight plan was filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go landings on three different lakes that are located within a five mile radius of each other. He said that while landing to the west on Coal Creek Lake, the airplane "veered quickly southeast", the left float submerged, the left wing struck the water, and the airplane nosed down, and sank. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. According to the pilot, there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 185
Tail NumberN913SM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data