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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

December 23, 2018 · Cessna A185 F · N93018

Big Lake, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 23, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Big Lake, AK
Aircraft
Cessna A185 F (1976)
Tail Number
N93018
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC19CA009

According to the pilot, upon returning from a short sightseeing flight in his tailwheel-equipped airplane, the landing and taxi lights would not illuminate. Due to the dark night conditions and the inoperable landing and taxi lights, the pilot chose to land on a roadway rather than the short ice-covered, private airstrip that he had used for departure. Unbeknownst to the pilot, a snow berm had been placed in the roadway. During the landing roll, the airplane struck the snow berm and nosed over The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, horizontal stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported that a postaccident examination revealed that the factory connection for the landing and taxi lights had failed at the 4-pin connector. The pilot reported no other mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated that the accident might have been prevented if the flight had been limited to daylight operations.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper decision to land on a roadway during dark night conditions with inoperable landing and taxi lights, which resulted in an impact with a snow berm.

Full Narrative

According to the pilot, upon returning from a short sightseeing flight in his tailwheel-equipped airplane, the landing and taxi lights would not illuminate. Due to the dark night conditions and the inoperable landing and taxi lights, the pilot elected to land on a roadway rather than the short ice-covered private airstrip that had been used for departure. Unbeknownst to the pilot, a snow berm had been placed in the roadway. During the landing roll the airplane struck the snow berm and nosed over, substantially damaging the wings, horizontal stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported that a postaccident examination revealed that the factory connection for the landing and taxi lights had failed at the 4-pin connector. The pilot reported no other mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation other than the inoperable landing and taxi lights. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been prevented if the flight had been limited to daylight operations.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 AKST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna A185 F
Tail NumberN93018
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental Motors · IO-520D · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind70° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 48
Altimeter29.62 inHg
Observation Time22:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data